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Behind the Scenes in the Lincoln White House: Memoirs of an African-American Seamstress

Behind the Scenes in the Lincoln White House: Memoirs of an African-American Seamstress
By Elizabeth Keckley

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Product Description

Keckley was a former slave who became a successful Washington, D.C., dressmaker — and a confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln. This intimate bond allowed her to witness the happy times as well as the tragic events that unfolded within the Lincoln White House. A remarkable firsthand narrative of both African-American and Civil War history.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #308768 in Books
  • Published on: 2006-08-04
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 160 pages

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Customer Reviews

Incredible5
Well, you can't get closer to being in the Lincoln White House than this. The story of Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker is written by the seamstress herself, Mrs. Keckley. She gives a fine, but brief, narrative of herself - starting out as a slave, a brief marriage and eventually buying her own freedom from the talent of her needle. Selling dresses to the wealthiest women around, she eventually catches the interest of Mrs. Lincoln and becomes her dressmaker. Her interactions with the President up to his assassination, though few, are remarkable and give us another eye witness glimpse of the Personal Lincoln. Most interesting is her account of Mary Lincoln after leaving the White House. Detailed are Mary Todd's efforts to sell her dresses for income, with the assistance of Mrs. Keckley. She tells about Mrs. Lincoln traveling incognito, which is extremely interesting. Mrs. Keckley writes in a very educated manner and shows her caring self through her words. A short book, and nominally priced, it is good for pleasure reading or as a source book for researchers, containing information that may not be found elsewhere.