Elizabeth Keckley's "Behind the Scenes at the Lincoln White House

[Gene C]

Interesting book written by Ms Keckley who was Mrs Lincolns' dress maker at the White House and who for several years was her best friend. It is about 156 pages, originally written in1868, has a bit of colorfull victorian verbage. Mine is a soft cover edition that cost $8

Ms. Keckley was the same age as Mrs. Lincoln. Earlier in her life she was born into slavery, but purchased her and her only son's freedom by her work as a seamstress. She moved to Washington where she seems to have been treated with respect and made dresses and clothes for several important polititicians wives, including Varina Davis. Ms Keckley claims Mrs Davis tried to get her to come to Richmond just before the Civil War broke out.

Ms Keckley's son died early in the Civil War. Mrs Lincoln likes her work and she makes several dresses for her. She seems to be very industrious and a very giving person. It is Willie's death that seems to draw them closer, so close that she becomes Mrs. Lincoln's closest and best freind (for a time) Ms Keckley writes very fondly of President Lincoln, but does point out how "needy" Mrs. Lincoln is, and you get the impression Mrs. Lincoln thinks the world revolves around herself. About 25% of the book is about Mrs Lincoln trying to sell some of her expensive White House clothing and jewelry in 1867 because she felt destitute. Ms Keckley is very much involved with this, probably much more involved than she wanted to be. She closes down her business in Washington to go to New York to help Mrs. Lincoln. The sale doen't turn out well. Mrs Lincoln goes back to Chicago, Ms Keckley is stuck in NY trying to wrap everything up. She returns to her seamstress work in NY to earn a living and writes this book.

While I did not pick up any vindictive tone, Ms Keckley says many things, quotes letters that do not show Mrs Lincoln in a favorable light. The book and its contents are probably what ended their close relationship. Ms Keckley should have known better, but maybe she did. Mrs Keckley always shows reverence for President Lincoln and always shows him in a favorable way.

Bottom line is....I recommend it. 4 out of 5 stars due to content.
An interesting & different perspective from an active participant and witness in the lives of the Lincolns.