- The author calls Lincoln a “political genius.” How do you define political genius? Does this mean simply achieving your political goals, or is it something more? Do any of Lincoln’s actions strike you as “genius”?
- Goodwin goes out her way prove that Lincoln was NOT depressed and NOT homosexual. Why would she do this? What would the significance be if he was depressed and was homosexual?
- Would contemporary political campaigns be better if candidates did not actively make new speeches or take new policy positions?
- Lincoln and Jackson were very similar in that they were both Western lawyers and perceived as men of the people. If we take this comparison further does it begin to fall apart?
- Do Seward, Chase and Bates have any contemporary equivalents? Let the games begin!
Here’s a great lecture by Goodwin comparing the lives Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson. This lecture is one of many TED Talks which I highly recommend.
We’ll be discussing part one of Team of Rivals on October 14th. We meet in the Main Library in Conference Room 3 at noon. Feel free to bring a lunch.
Won’t Ms. Goodwin be coming to NPL as the Literary Award Winner? Will there be a lecture open to the public?
Yes! Doris Kearns Goodwin will be here at NPL for a lecture in November!
Nashville Literary Conversation with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Doris Kearns Goodwin
Saturday , Nov 7, 2009
10:00 am
Location: Nashville Public Library, Auditorium