Mr. Billington opened the National Book Festival with brief remarks about lifelong learning, books, and literacy. Mr. Asim also delivered welcoming remarks. 

Ms. Goodwin talked about her newest book, Team of Rivals, published by Simon and Schuster. She described Abraham Lincoln’s relationships with three men he selected for his cabinet, all of whom had been his opponents for the Republican nomination in 1860, William Seward, Salmon Chase, and Edward Bates. After her presentation Ms. Goodwin responded to audience members' questions. 

She was also interviewed after her speech.