Week 12 Prompt: Readers' Advisory Matrix

The Readers’ Advisory Matrix for

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,

by Doris Kearns Goodwin

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

·         A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose)

2. What is the subject of the book?

·         The ideological reconciliation of former political rivals and conflicting personalities who united to face the greatest struggle in American history.

3. What type of book is it?

·         A historical / biographical portrait of Lincoln and his cabinet.

4. Articulate appeal

·         What is the pacing of the book?

o   It is lengthy but manageable due to approachable language.

·         Describe the characters of the book.

o   The book explores the strong personalities that comprised Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet, including the very men who ran against him in the 1860 election, including abolitionist William Seward, radical Salmon P. Chase, and conservative Edward Bates.

·         How does the story feel?

o   It feels like a time machine that places you in the backrooms and offices that history was made.

·         What is the intent of the author?

o   To educate Americans about leadership and compromise during national crises.

·         What is the focus of the story?

o   The Lincoln presidency and the lives of men who sacrificed their own ambitions for the greater good.

·         Does the language matter?

o   Yes.

·         Is the setting important and well described?

o   Goodwin does an amazing job describing Washington culture during the Civil War, and the setting is important in the stress and confusion that occurred with warfare taking place just a few miles in any direction.

·         Are there details and, if so, of what?

o   There are lots of historical and biographical details regarding the vast majority of the people chronicled.

·         Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?

o   The book includes numerous photographs as well as a few political cartoons and maps.

·         Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?

o   The book does stress all three; learning about how to lead, understanding your rivals and their motivations, and experiencing the important events in Civil War history.

5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

            1. Leadership

            2. Learning

            3. Ease of read