What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTeam of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Doris Kearns Goodwin · Book · 2005
If you loved Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, start with Lincoln (Steven Spielberg, 2012) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln across media.
If you loved the masterful political maneuvering in Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, these selections explore leadership under immense historical pressure.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Lincoln
Steven Spielberg · Film · 2012
Films on the same thread
Schindler's List
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1993
Explores: Survival, Moral Courage, Dehumanization.
Much like the moral weight carried by the subjects in Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, this film examines the profound courage required to save lives.
Glory
Edward Zwick · Film · 1989
Explores: racial prejudice, leadership, courage.
This film mirrors the Civil War era tension found in Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on the leadership necessary to overcome deep-seated racial prejudice.
12 Years a Slave
Steve McQueen · Film · 2013
Explores: Injustice, Survival, Loss of Freedom.
Experience the harrowing human cost of the era described in Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln through this unflinching look at survival and lost freedom.
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
Fans of the cabinet dynamics in Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln will recognize the complex burden of decision-making and ethical compromise in this historical epic.
Series on the same thread
The Civil War
Series · 1990
Explores: Brother vs. Brother, Reconstruction Era, Abraham Lincoln.
This documentary deepens the context of the conflict that defined Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, offering a comprehensive look at the nation's most transformative period.
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History
Ken Burns · Series · 2014
Explores: American Presidency, Family Dynasty, Social Reform.
If you appreciated the biographical depth of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, this series provides a similar intimate look at a powerful political dynasty.
The West Wing
Aaron Sorkin · Series · 1999
Explores: Presidential Administration, Moral Dilemmas, Idealism vs. Realism.
The high-pressure environment of the White House seen in Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln is mirrored here through the idealistic struggles of a modern administration.
John Adams
Kirk Ellis · Series · 2008
Explores: American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Early American History.
Much like Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, this series brings the complexities of early American statesmanship and political intrigue to life with meticulous historical detail.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Those drawn to the analytical approach of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln will appreciate how this podcast interrogates the consequences of power throughout human history.
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Political scandal, Archival research, Cultural impact.
Similar to the archival rigor of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, this podcast uncovers the hidden political realities behind the most consequential moments in American history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln the basis for the movie Lincoln?
Yes, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin served as the primary inspiration for the 2012 film Lincoln. The book explores the political genius of Abraham Lincoln and the formation of his cabinet, which provided the narrative foundation for the Oscar-winning movie adaptation.
What awards has Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln won?
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln is a highly decorated work that received the prestigious Lincoln Prize. This recognition highlights the book's status as a modern classic and an influential historical account of Abraham Lincoln's presidency and his unique approach to managing his cabinet of former political foes.
Who is the author of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln?
The author of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln is Doris Kearns Goodwin. She is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and an esteemed presidential historian whose work on this title is widely considered one of the most influential books published in the last fifty years.
Does Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln focus only on Abraham Lincoln?
While Abraham Lincoln is the central figure, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln also provides a detailed look at his cabinet of former political foes. The book examines how Lincoln utilized his political genius to navigate his unlikely presidency alongside these rivals throughout his time in office.