kurtwombat's review against another edition
5.0
Just an absolutely fabulous read. Kearns Goodwin follows Lincoln and each of his Cabinet members through their formative years and into the White House. The Cabinet members come to life through richly revealing memoirs and diaries. Lincoln, coming from a more impoverished background comes to life mostly through the loving recollection of others. The fascinating spine of the book is how Lincoln is continually misjudged by everyone he encounters. Most simply dismiss him as a hick getting by on bumkin luck. But eventually, those who dismiss, dislike or even despise him are ultimately won over. His charm and good humor are well known, but what won over his doubters was the determined nature of his kindness, never holding a grudge and consideration of the big picture vs. our individual conceits. This admiration of others brings the book to a devastating conclusion when the inevitable assasination occurs. The heartbreak felt by those close to him and the nation at large has been wonderfully set up by the previous 700 pages.
bri_noyes1's review against another edition
5.0
This was AMAZING. How did I not know that Lincoln staffed his cabinet with his political opponents who ran against him for president? When the nation was so fragile, he brought so many different minds to the table when he could have easily placed people in his sphere who would have been “yes” men. Some really amazing takeaways for todays day and age.
*Just realized I read the abridged version through my library. Someday I’ll make it through the 41 hour version- but just in case people want to know: the 9 hour version is also really good.
*Just realized I read the abridged version through my library. Someday I’ll make it through the 41 hour version- but just in case people want to know: the 9 hour version is also really good.
thomasindc's review against another edition
5.0
An exceptional look into Lincoln's political mastery. I 'read' this through Audible, with the exceptional narration of Suzanne Toren. Being from Illinois, a love of Lincoln was part of the package growing up, but I had never realized the depth of greatness Lincoln really could pull from. His magnanimity, calmness, and self-confidence blending into something very one of a kind. In the closing chapters, as the war draws to a close and the amendment is pursued, one is left with extreme sadness at the thought: "what would our country be like today if Lincoln's Reconstruction had continued?"
I originally read the book, or large parts of it, in 2013, but was interrupted by moves and was never able to return to it. I was able to get the audiobook in 2018 and was halfway through it when distracted by schooling. Finally able to return for the second half, it's a book I think is worthy of another, complete, readthrough in the future.
I originally read the book, or large parts of it, in 2013, but was interrupted by moves and was never able to return to it. I was able to get the audiobook in 2018 and was halfway through it when distracted by schooling. Finally able to return for the second half, it's a book I think is worthy of another, complete, readthrough in the future.
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent examination of the lead-up to Lincoln's candidacy and presidency. It focuses not only on Lincoln but on his cabinet and the people around him--family, friends, rivals, the works. There are some people/historians who claim that Lincoln's presidency has been romanticized through the years, and it's not surprising if that were the case, but Goodwin's excellent research posits exactly the opposite stance: that Lincoln was a political genius, under appreciated in his own time, and only now can we actually see the shrewdness with which he operated. Personally, after reading this account, I'm convinced. From the way he managed to get the nomination for President, to the construction of his cabinet and beyond, Lincoln showed a political savvy and a sense of personal responsibility and rightness that I only wish one of our leaders could have today.
wwatts1734's review against another edition
5.0
There have been many biographies of Abraham Lincoln, so what makes this one special? Goodwin in fact has set a standard that subsequent biographies of Lincoln will be measured up against. Not only did she discuss his humble beginnings and his struggle for the Union as president. Goodwin goes deep inside the mind and soul of Lincoln to discover what makes him tick, so to speak. In doing so, we discover many things that shed light on the President and answer questions about why his presidency, and in fact his life, were as contentious as they were.
The title of the book refers to Lincoln's odd practice of forming his cabinet by recruiting his greatest political opponents. Lincoln realized that he was not the greatest genius in the country (a trait of Lincoln that certainly sets him apart from our current president), and therefore he surrounded himself with men who would challenge him with contrary viewpoints. We may not realize this now, but Lincoln was savaged in the press of his day, often by members of his own cabinet. The media's portrayal of Lincoln alternated between buffoon, tyrant, illiterate and war monger. In our own day, when Lincoln is praised almost as a god, it is hard to imagine that the media in his own day was hardly in his court.
And this brings us to another interesting fact about Lincoln that Goodwin discusses in the novel. This is Lincoln's public persona as an uneducated bumpkin. While Lincoln did not have much formal education, he was a self-taught genius who memorized the Bible and Shakespeare and kept his mind sharp by working geometric proofs. Unlike our current president, who talks up his Ivy League pedigree while entertaining himself with ESPN, Lincoln followed the Shakespeare theater while maintaining a folksy public image. Lincoln would tell funny stories and lauded his background as a country lawyer to endear himself with the common folk. He was nothing if not modest. He only had two young men from Illinois as his personal staff, and he entertained these youngsters with funny stories at night. Quite a contrast with modern presidents.
In the end, the reader really feels as if he knows Lincoln. Goodwin does a masterful job of discussing this fascinating man, and it is worth the time for anyone to read.
The title of the book refers to Lincoln's odd practice of forming his cabinet by recruiting his greatest political opponents. Lincoln realized that he was not the greatest genius in the country (a trait of Lincoln that certainly sets him apart from our current president), and therefore he surrounded himself with men who would challenge him with contrary viewpoints. We may not realize this now, but Lincoln was savaged in the press of his day, often by members of his own cabinet. The media's portrayal of Lincoln alternated between buffoon, tyrant, illiterate and war monger. In our own day, when Lincoln is praised almost as a god, it is hard to imagine that the media in his own day was hardly in his court.
And this brings us to another interesting fact about Lincoln that Goodwin discusses in the novel. This is Lincoln's public persona as an uneducated bumpkin. While Lincoln did not have much formal education, he was a self-taught genius who memorized the Bible and Shakespeare and kept his mind sharp by working geometric proofs. Unlike our current president, who talks up his Ivy League pedigree while entertaining himself with ESPN, Lincoln followed the Shakespeare theater while maintaining a folksy public image. Lincoln would tell funny stories and lauded his background as a country lawyer to endear himself with the common folk. He was nothing if not modest. He only had two young men from Illinois as his personal staff, and he entertained these youngsters with funny stories at night. Quite a contrast with modern presidents.
In the end, the reader really feels as if he knows Lincoln. Goodwin does a masterful job of discussing this fascinating man, and it is worth the time for anyone to read.
zoesharonmoore's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This is probably a five star book, but it’s getting four stars only for how I understood it. There were many parts that went over my head, but it was really, really good. It gave me a whole new insight into Lincoln, and launched me into my Civil War era.
darshbakshi's review against another edition
5.0
Never thought I will enjoy this book so much. This book is a piece of gem for learning leadership. The story is very engaging and the language is simple enough to understand. What I have realized is this book isn't only about Lincoln but more about the dynamic relationship he had with his cabinet and how he handled civil war along with his personal miseries. Definitely going to reread this in future.