Children's Books

[Gene C]

Tad Lincoln by T Morris Longstreth

For ages 10+ years, written in 1944 with 280 pages, no illustrations.

Well written, historical fiction, mainly about Tad's years in the White House.
The author does a good job of describing some of the experiences Tad faced while growing up, with the focus not so much in what happened, but on the consequences, and lessons learned. His creative and compassionate side are shown, as well as his spoiled, mischievous, strong willed nature.

No mention of his speech impediment. His lack of education receives little notice, other than he does not care for his teachers.
His close relationship with his father is mentioned many times, how he easily makes friends with the guards and soldiers, and how Mrs Keckley is often a substitute mother figure.

In the postscript the author claims historical accuracy for many of the events in Tad's life and refers to books by Elizabeth Keckley, Carl Sandburg, Francis Carpenter, Julia Taft, and David Homer Bates.

There are two stories about Tad that get some attention in this book, that I have not been able to find the source or verify they ever happened. The first is Tad hosing down Secretary of War Stanton because Tad was angry with Stanton on how he talked to his father. The earliest source I can find on that is Wayne Whipple's book on Tad Lincoln from 1926. The other involves Tad taking the Confederate flag that was captured by Elmer Ellsworth, and secretly hanging it on the balcony of Bud and Holly Taft's house. I do not recall seeing that story anywhere.

If you are interested in this aspect of Lincoln's family life in the White House, this is an interesting, but fictional account of many things Tad probably experienced. If you want a more historical perspective, Julia Taft's 'Tad Lincoln's Father' is a better choice.

Available on Amazon, I paid $8
https://www.amazon.com/Tad-Lincoln-Presi...563&sr=8-7

Also available for free, online at Internet Archives
https://archive.org/details/tadlincolnpr...g/mode/2up