Are these the books Obama mentioned on '60 Minutes' Sunday? 'The Defining Moment'

[ProgressiveEconomist]

seems to be influencing his initial economic and political strategy, and 'Team of Rivals' seems to be dictating some of his possible Cabinet choices.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

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'TEAM OF RIVALS', by Doris Kearns Goodwin:

From http://www.amazon.de/Team-Rivals-Political-Abraham-Lincoln/dp/0684824906 :

"Goodwin makes the case for Lincoln's political genius by examining his relationships with three men he selected for his cabinet, all of whom were opponents for the Republican nomination in 1860: William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, and Edward Bates. These men, all accomplished, nationally known, and presidential, originally disdained Lincoln for his backwoods upbringing and lack of experience, and were shocked and humiliated at losing to this relatively obscure Illinois lawyer. Yet Lincoln not only convinced them to join his administration--Seward as secretary of state, Chase as secretary of the treasury, and Bates as attorney general--he ultimately gained their admiration and respect as well. How he soothed egos, turned rivals into allies, and dealt with many challenges to his leadership, all for the sake of the greater good, is largely what Goodwin's fine book is about. Had he not possessed the wisdom and confidence to select and work with the best people, she argues, he could not have led the nation
through one of its darkest periods.

Ten years in the making, this engaging work reveals why "Lincoln's road to success was longer, more tortuous, and far less likely" than the other men, and why, when opportunity beckoned, Lincoln was "the best prepared to answer the call." This multiple biography further provides valuable background and insights into the contributions and talents of Seward, Chase, and Bates. Lincoln may have been "the indispensable ingredient of the Civil War," but these three men were invaluable to Lincoln and they played key roles in keeping the nation intact. --Shawn Carkonen"

Cover: http://www.amazon.com/Team-Rivals-Political-Abraham-Lincoln/dp/images/0684824906

Contents: http://www.amazon.de/Team-Rivals-Political-Abraham-Lincoln/dp/toc/0684824906

First 6 pages: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B000OVLNII/ref=sib_dp_pop_ex/?ie=UTF8&p=S00V#reader-link

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'THE DEFINING MOMENT', by Jonathan Alter:

From http://www.amazon.de/Defining-Moment-FDRs-Hundred-Triumph/dp/0743246004

"As the generation that endured the Great Depression passes on, it is essential to be reminded what this nation faced as FDR assumed office in 1933. At a minimum, a quarter of the workforce was unemployed. The threat of mass violence loomed as secure families saw their life savings wiped out. In both the U.S and abroad, liberal democracies were under siege from fascism on the Right and communism on the Left. Alter, a columnist and senior editor at Newsweek, eloquently captures the fevered, frightened state of the nation in 1933. In a brief biographical sketch of Roosevelt's life, Alter strongly emphasizes aspects that gave him a powerful will and supreme self-confidence. Alter recounts the flurry of the first 100 days of FDR's administration, which forever altered the relationship between American citizens and the federal government. This superbly researched and well-written work serves as a vital reminder of the importance of leadership during this great national ordeal. Jay Freeman"

Cover: http://www.amazon.com/Defining-Moment-FDRs-Hundred-Triumph/dp/images/0743246004

Contents: http://www.amazon.de/Defining-Moment-FDRs-Hundred-Triumph/dp/toc/0743246004

First 5 pages: http://www.amazon.de/gp/reader/0743246004/ref=sib_dp_bod_ex??ie=UTF8&p=S00S&ns=1#reader-page

[lurky]

1. I like that he's thinking about FDR...

Definitely a good sign!
:D

[opihimoimoi]

2. This Obama Guy...he READS....he READS.....and it shows too...no empty language from him

[Cobalt-60]

4. and it isn't "my pet goat"

Soon I won't have to lash out at the radio dial when I hear a US president is about to speak.

[opihimoimoi]

5. The Difference between Bush and Obama is Light years apart....

[WCGreen]

3. Team of Rivals is one of the best books I have ever read....

It reads like a novel yet explains everything about Lincoln's reasons for bringing his rivals for the nomination into the administration.

The unifying element was that almost all of them looked at Lincoln as a bit of a Buffoon.

[pnorman]

6. I'm pretty sure he was referring to both of those books.

I have both of them in Audible.com format, and will most definitely listen to them again before this month is out!

pnorman
On edit: I'll have to listen to that interview again, but I have a vague memory of him referring to that FDR books as having come out recently.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

7. "listen 2 that interview again" You can WATCH the 60 Minutes intervw online at LINK

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4608198n .

See the thread on that link at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7879881&mesg_id=7879881