“Washington was a typical American. Napoleon was a typical Frenchman, but Lincoln was a humanitarian as broad as the world.” - Leo Tolstoy
Two years ago, I began a study of the American Revolution as a way to get more in touch with my country’s remarkable history. The story of Franklin and Jefferson and of Washington’s legendary military career filled me with hope during an ugly election season.
The lesson in American history was capped by a pilgrammage through New England, where I visited the stages where great minds performed the story of our nation’s birth. I wept at the grave of Benjamin Franklin, and I looked out over Washington Rock and played out the story for myself.
The Revolution is still my favorite American story, but my knowledge of the Civil War, and of President Lincoln, remained cloudy. It stayed cloudy, that is, until I finished “Team of Rivals,” the wonderful book by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Subtitled “The political genius of Abraham Lincoln,” the book told the story of Lincoln and his political rivals up to and during his tragically-short presidential term. In the meantime, it also gave me a great understanding of the Civil War: how it started, how it progressed, and how it - thankfully - ended.
“Team of Rivals” also cemented Lincoln as truly our greatest president. Without a doubt.
I’ve long been a fan of Harry S. Truman, Thomas Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt for their contributions to our country. Truman was a plain speaker, and, like Lincoln, a man from modest roots. Teddy did more to ensure this country remained a fair and beautiful place than any before him. Jefferson built the philosophical and moral roots of America. But it’s Lincoln who sits deservedly at the head of great presidents.
Lincoln’s fair-mindedness, his ability to quell political controversies, his wisdom and patience regarding emancipation, his bravery in assigning his political rivals to his cabinet, his good-natured way with poeple and conversation, his heroic place in the mind of the troops who served him - they all make a great and humble man. He’s a great representative for the American ideal. Today, there is no one in the public sphere like him.
Goodwin’s book does the man justice, and gives a broad and detailed look at what was taking place in Lincoln’s time. Forget terrorism; the question of slavery and the Civil War were the greatest threats to America in our history. Yet Lincoln steered the ship of state like a pro, saving the Union and - despite doubts at the time - emerging a hero. Then, today, and forever, Lincoln deserves the title.
His rivals, who became the Secretaries of State and the Treasury and War among others, grew to love him as the nation did. As school children, who only know of “Honest Abe” and his historic Emancipation, love him today.
Tolstoy found that tribal natives living in the mountains of Russia revered Lincoln like no other great figure. Ulysses S. Grant, who served as General-in-Chief and helped win the Civil War under Lincoln, called him the greatest man he ever knew.
We all have this foggy notion of Lincoln as a Great President. We know of his humble roots and tragic death, and a few of the details in the middle, but “Team of Rivals” clears up the story in a way I appreciated.
Photo via FFFFOUND!
