I read quite a few books this year and none of them made an impact on me as this one. Doris Kearns Goodwin's writing style and storytelling techniques were spectacular (who said history is boring?!!). The 77 years old historian's passion shone in every page and so evident was the result of her 10 years hard work and research that went into writing this book. I also admired how she picked the right words to describe situations and emotions aptly (an example phrase-"unsparing in criticism and extravagant in praise"). I travelled with Lincoln, Seward, Bates and Chase for few days, came out enamoured of Lincoln's leadership and Doris's passion for history.
The personality traits that shaped Lincoln's leadership style:
Lincoln had unusual empathy since he was young.
Lincoln had his way to be centre of any crowd. His storytelling capabilities enthralled his audience.
He read a lot of books and taught himself literature, law and mathematics.
He was an honest man. When Lincoln was young, he borrowed a book from a wealthy landlord in his village, he couldn't return it so he volunteered and slaved in hard labour for a whole day to repay his debt.
Lincoln was always haunted by his ambition, for him "to do something that fellow men remember him ever by and to earn respect of others" was his purpose in life. This high standard he set for himself made him depressed at times.
Team of Rivals:
The most important part of this book is how Lincoln picked his team after he won the 1860's Presidential election. Lincoln offered three key positions in his cabinet to his three chief rivals (thus the name 'team of rivals'!). Abraham Lincoln, William Seward, Salmon Chase and Edward Bates contested against each other in the 1859's Presidential nomination. When this unexpected move surprised everyone, Lincoln had his answer, "these men are the best at what they do and I need the best for the country and I have no rights to deprive the country of the best". Seward became the Secretary of the State, Chase became the head of Treasury and Bates was made the US attorney General. Over the years, Lincoln managed to earn their friendship, their respect and grew closer to them. Lincoln had extraordinary ability to transcend personal vendetta, humiliation and bitterness in bringing the best people for the jobs and leading them (a factor considered to be important in Union winning the Civil War) and Dorris calls this as 'Political Genius of Lincoln'.
Barack Obama named 'Team of Rivals' as one book he couldn't live without in the White House. Obama's decision to make his rival Hillary Clinton as VP was the influence he had from Lincoln.
Lincoln's final years consisted of so many battles in the Civil War, some lost and some won. Lincoln issued emancipation proclamation to end slavery across all US states in 1862 and upheld the Union at the end of the war. He will be eternally remembered and admired!