Unfinished Nation, byAlan Brinkley, that Lincoln picked these people to have a diversety of ideas in his cabinet. He wanted to keep these people close to him so that they would be working for him and not against him The fictional character Lincoln in Vidal’s book in regards to to Salmon P. Chase and William H. Seward that Chase’s radicalism and Seward’s moderate ideas that although the two are different they give the president balance. Lincoln being a brilliant litician knows that balance is neccesary to win the war and to being a successful leader.Throughout the book and according to history Lincoln had many problems with he numerous generals that he had during the war. We can see Lincoln’s frustration mount as he goes through each general. In the literature I have read it was said that Gener Burnsides was fired because he did not extend the army further after Fredricksberg where he could have won the war. Vidal’s book says that Burnsides gave his resignation, but we could feel the dissapointment of the President. Perhaps some of the most gripping parts of the book for me were the personal conflicts and dillemas with which the president had to deal with. Mary Lincoln’s family did not support the Union which made it very difficult on Mary and on Abe. Mary’s freent bouts with headaches and her preoccupation with dreams portrays a woman who is very needy of her husbands attention. Lincoln maintains his leadership with ease. The death of his son which has also been written about in books such as, “The Unfinish Nation”, and “Lincoln, Father to an Army and a Nation” talks about how devisated Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln was at this time. Still, as the book portrays, Lincoln goes on with his duties....
