A week ago, I finally completed Team Of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin (I remember her name, heh).
It was no easy journey, spanning a total of 2 years and probably 3 restarts. I’d have to admit, when I first got the book, I had such a vague interest in the topic. Strangely enough, something kept me on the book. For the lack of a better phrase, the book and I were fated.
Team of Rivals is a historical narrative of Abraham Lincoln’s life. As the title suggests, much of the analytical angle came from the fact that Lincoln surrounded himself with his fiercest political rivals. While on the surface this may just seem as an overly-enthused form of meritocracy, one would immediately have to throw that idea out once you come to read of the many backgrounds of these great men, as well as the circumstances leading up to the presidential election.
We know Lincoln as “Honest Abe” and the only poet-president, titles which more than expound his eligibility for president-ship. But a good look into the 1860 presidential nomination election will reveal the insurmountable odds against the humble and unaccomplished prairie lawyer. Despite an almost-fluke nomination and the eventual civil war crisis, Lincoln never waivered in the confidence of his own ability to sustain and lead a cabinet of intellectual and political giants. While his political and managerial geniuses were certainly evident throughout his presidency, I am most inspired by his personal mastery. His unfailing optimism and perfect grasp of his own abilities shielded him through the constant barrage of skeptism and doubt. Even when he had clearly proven himself, this absolute control of his intra-personality ensured he remain humble and patient with criticism from the green-eyed.
A special mention goes out to Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War of president Lincoln. Why? because I feel most connected to Stanton’s personality and the struggles he faced. The book always notes how much Stanton’s personality contrasted with Lincoln. While Lincoln was warm, sympathetic and jovial, Stanton was cool, calculative and stern. And as history has judged, they worked extremely well together. It is always difficult to play the bad cop. Always. The greatest anecdote depicting this would be the immediate aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination. While everyone was numbed by shock and disbelief, Stanton never allowed himself a moment of standstill, orchestrating officials and soldiers. Stanton was the personification of self-sacrifice, of selflessness. Even when he’s just lost his best friend and commander-in-chief, he never let himself indulge in his emotions.
This, in my opinion, is a good book. It’s more than just a history book. Its a study of character and its specimens are by any measure one of the best. If you can bear the really dry beginning and draggy description of life in 1860 Washington DC, the rest of the book is filled with brilliant twists and conflicts.
It does leave me with one regret though. I really should have done History.
Ohwell.
