Mary's Reputation

[RJNorton]

I don't know enough about Catherine Clinton's book to comment, Tom, but one of my favorite Mary Lincoln biographies is probably Dr. William Augustus Evans' Mrs. Abraham Lincoln: A Study of Her Personality and Her Influence on Lincoln. The book was published in 1932, and I think Dr. Evans examines and explains her psyche as well or better than any other author. He wrote the book at the suggestion of William E. Barton. I like the author's style (my copy is falling apart), and the book has some photos not often seen in other books such as a picture of Mary's home in Chicago on Washington Street (now Washington Boulevard). Additionally the book has a series of timelines of important events in her life. It's definitely worth a look.