Asheley T.'s Reviews > Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House

A fascinating read.

This is an autobiography of Eliabeth Keckley, who spent a chunk of her life working as Mary Todd Lincoln's personal dressmaker. Keckley was born a slave but worked to purchase her freedom and the freedom of her son. She then used her skills as a seamstress to earn a living by starting her own business and making clothes for famous political wives and daughters of her time. Keckley spends time talking about her time as a slave, but the majority of the book talks about the time she spent with the Lincoln family in the White House and her close friendship with Mrs. Lincoln.

This book reads easily and I have to say that I was surprised at so much of what is revealed here. I think that, for the time, it was quite forward and brave of Keckley to release so much about the private lives of the President and his family. Before the book begins, Keckley speaks about why she chose to publish: it seems that she wanted to make sure the world knew the truth about Mrs. Lincoln and that if they only knew her reasons for her actions and words, they would be less harsh and judgmental.

Regarding that truth: wow.

I understand why Mrs. Lincoln was upset at the release of this book. I think the revelations and correspondences released reveal things that the Lincoln family would have rather kept secret. I think this book keeps Mr. Lincoln in high regard while exposing A LOT about his wife.

In truth, Ms. Lincoln seemed like...a lot...and the association with her (particularly during her financial issues after the President's assassination) read like a lot of drama. Quite scandalous.

I recommend this one for people that are interested in more about Mrs. Lincoln, but more than that: this is the personal account of a woman that bought her freedom and became a successful business owner during a volatile time in US history. A remarkable read.