'CBS This Morning Reads' kick off with ‘Team of Rivals’

Co-hosts Gayle King, Norah O’Donnell, and Charlie Rose of “CBS This Morning” launched their new book club on Tuesday. First up for “CBS This Morning Reads” is "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

“Team of Rivals,” a 2005 bestseller, tells the story of the 16th president and his rise to the title. Historian and Pulitzer Prize winning writer Goodwin takes readers through the Great Emancipator’s mission to abolish slavery and keep America united. The book's focus, however, is not just on Lincoln but also on some of the men who served on his Cabinet. Goodwin makes it clear that Lincoln was not alone in the struggle for peace and the abolition of slavery.

Each week for the next month, “CBS This Morning Reads” will post excerpts from "Team of Rivals," reading guides, web extras, and interactive features on their website. CBS is offering the first chapter for free and can be downloaded here.

“Lincoln,” directed by Steven Spielberg, is set release release in theaters Nov. 16. The film adaption, which stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln, will focus more on the last few months of Lincoln’s life – abolishing slavery and the Union victory in the American Civil War. Other all-star cast members include, Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Walton Goggins, and Davis Strathairn.

Originally published in 2005, “Team of Rivals” was rereleased to coincide with the highly anticipated film adaptation.

This Sunday, Mr. Spielberg will talk about “Lincoln” on the show “60 Minutes” and on Nov. 15 (the day before the film comes out), Kearns Goodwin will appear on “CBS This Morning” to discuss her book and thoughts on the film.

"Team of Rivals" is published by Simon & Schuster. Simon & Schuster and CBS are owned by the same parent company. Though, as “This Morning Reads” expands, CBS says, the book club “may incorporate additional publishers.”