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How Lincoln's Fiercest Rival Became His Close Ally

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President Lincoln appointed William Henry Seward secretary of state in 1861. He served until 1869.

Credit Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

Walter Stahr began writing his first book, John Jay, while working as a lawyer in Hong Kong.

By editor

Originally published on Sun October 14, 2012 10:07 am

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The race for the Republican nomination of 1860 was one of the great political contests of American history. It was Abraham Lincoln versus Salmon Chase, versus William Seward.

Author Walter Stahr spoke with Weekends All Things Considered host Guy Raz about his new biography, Seward: Lincoln's Indispensable Man. He describes how a man who was Lincoln's fiercest and most critical opponent eventually became his most loyal and trusted adviser.

Interview Highlights

On Seward losing the election

8:03 am

Sat October 13, 2012

Fresh Air Weekend: Tig Notaro, Louis C.K., Nate Silver

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Comedian Tig Notaro dealt with a cancer diagnosis the best way she knew how — with humor.

By editor

Originally published on Mon October 15, 2012 1:22 pm

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Fresh Air Weekend highlights some of the best interviews and reviews from past weeks, and new program elements specially paced for weekends. Our weekend show emphasizes interviews with writers, filmmakers, actors, and musicians, and often includes excerpts from live in-studio concerts. This week:

7:44 am

Sat October 13, 2012

The Pirate Prince Of Sealand, Remembered

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British pirate radio broadcaster Paddy Roy Bates with his wife, Joan, and daughter, Penny, in 1966.

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The sovereign principality of Sealand is an artillery platform built during World War II about seven miles off the coast of Essex, England. Paddy Roy Bates founded Sealand in 1967, proclaiming it an independent state.

By Scott Simon

Originally published on Sat October 13, 2012 11:58 am

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Paddy Roy Bates, the self-proclaimed prince of Sealand, was almost 80 when I met him in the summer of 2000. He was silvery and straight-backed — very much the model of a modern major, which he was in the British Army during World War II, when he survived frostbite, malaria, snakebites and a German bomb that shattered his jaw so badly a surgeon told him no woman would ever love him. So he married a former beauty queen named Joan and made her the princess of Sealand.

Let me explain.

5:17 am

Sat October 13, 2012

With Varied Approach, Candidates Push School Choice

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Despite some backlash from their political parties, both President Obama and Mitt Romney have made school choice a cornerstone of their efforts for education reform.

By Claudio Sanchez

Originally published on Sat October 13, 2012 11:41 am

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The right to choose the school you want your child to attend has been the subject of court battles and bitter political debates. Still, both President Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney have made school choice a cornerstone of their efforts to reform public education.

Romney says he wants to give every student trapped in a failing school the chance to attend a better school. He supports private-school vouchers in states where they're allowed, but his main focus is on creating more public-school choices.

5:17 am

Sat October 13, 2012

The Antidote To Your Burning Health Care Questions

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By editor

Originally published on Sat October 13, 2012 2:14 pm

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As we approach the presidential election in November, Weekend Edition is seeking your questions about issues and candidates in a new segment called Reporter Hotline. This week, we answer inquiries about health care.

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2:17 pm

Sat October 13, 2012