The subject of Abraham Lincoln has fascinated author Doris Kearns
Goodwin for years as a working historian. Her credentials include
the coveted Pulitzer Prize for NO ORDINARY TIME (a portrait of FDR
and Eleanor) and works about the Kennedys and Lyndon Johnson. TEAM
OF RIVALS is a well-documented work that chronicles not only the
life of Abraham Lincoln but also those of his rivals for the
Republican nomination for President in 1860. William H. Seward,
Salmon P. Chase and Edward Bates served with Lincoln as members of
the most unusual cabinet in American history.

Goodwin's first nine chapters deal with the life stories of these
four men, with contrasts and similarities skillfully detailed.
Their personal struggles and victories dominate each personality
and groom them for life in the political arena. By the end of
Chapter 9 Lincoln has been elected President, with national tragedy
looming in the form of Southern state succession from the Union.
Lincoln's ability to unite his rivals and assimilate diverse
ideologies into his cabinet is one of the greatest stories in
political history.

William Henry Seward is the product of an upper class heritage.
Married to Frances Miller, the daughter of a wealthy judge, Seward
acquires wealth, position and a mansion in Auburn, New York. Salmon
P. Chase lives through the tragedy of losing three wives, seeking
compassion from political friends like Edwin Stanton and eventually
becoming the governor of Ohio. Edward Bates leads perhaps the most
normal existence of the four political rivals; his wife, Julia
Bates, remains loyal to him for four decades. The divisive
Compromise of 1850 clouds the political stage for a decade and
smothers all other national issues for debate. Bates is the only
man of the foursome to strongly support the Compromise, which keeps
Southern states in check for a number of years.

Seward is purported to be the unanimous choice of the Republicans
in the 1860 convention. Lincoln's nomination is "received with
general incredulity" on Capitol Hill. Bates is the first of the
rivals to endorse Lincoln's candidacy. "While Lincoln worked to
enlist the cooperation of all his rivals, he knew that the active
support of William Henry Seward would be pivotal to his
campaign."

Following his nomination, Lincoln weaves a political masterpiece in
his choice of cabinet members. Seward becomes Secretary of State,
Chase is named Treasury Secretary, and Edward Bates is picked to be
Attorney General. The meat of the book deals with Lincoln's uncanny
ability to work through the difficulties faced when the South
finally secedes from the Union and civil war ensues.

Throughout this turbulent time, these men solidify Lincoln's
positions and stand beside him, though not without their individual
differences. His ability to manipulate them to his cause and
support the war effort is unequaled in our history. Dominant
political geniuses in their own right, their combined strengths
enhance Lincoln's resolve on numerous issues. Coupled with
additional strong men of resolve and generals brought in to oversee
Northern war strategies, Lincoln is blessed by his choices.

Goodwin's documentation is extensive. Nearly 90 pages detail
sources used within each of the 26 chapters, sources for pictures
and maps are listed in a separate reference sheet, and the book
concludes with an epilogue. This fine author should receive a
stable of honors for her latest achievement. Lincoln and his rivals
come to life on these pages, political turmoil is chronicled with
authority, and her use of resource material will certainly qualify
this book as a choice for serious scholastic usage. TEAM OF RIVALS
is recommended as a first-rate literary piece.