Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker

by Jennifer Chiaverini

Book Overview

In a life that spanned nearly a century and witnessed some of the most momentous events in American history, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley was born a slave. She earned her freedom by the skill of her needle and won the friendship of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln with her devotion. In her sweeping historical novel, Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini illuminates the extraordinary relationship the two women shared,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525953612
• ISBN13: 9780525953616
• Release Date: January 2013
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmake

A very interesting book, saw the author on "Sewing with Nancy" and had to go out and purchase the book. Well written and informative.

This was a great book to get a different point of view when our country was in the throws of the Civ

I would recommend this for high school students, as some of the information is a little more mature when you learn the back story of the dressmaker, Miss Keckley. A fantastic story that inspired me to learn more about the biographical background of Elizabeth Keckley.

Lot of great info

Got this book for a school project and it was a great resource!

Pleasantly surprised, not my usual read.

I enjoyed the perspective of Elizabeth the dress maker the author made me feel like I was really there.

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker

Wonderful book! Well worth the read. Shows you the real temperament of the President and his wife. It reveals the different classes of black people during the time. If you had a real talent in a specific area, you were treated with more respect. If you sew, you will appreciate this book even more.

I learned a lot from this book.

What did I learn? (1) that Elizabeth had to pay her own father (her master) for her freedom, how ridiculous! (2) She used her own funds to start and support the effort to help slaves fleeing to Washington City for freedom after Lincoln signed the bill freeing slaves in Washington. (3) Her friendship with Mary Lincoln was a bit lopsided. Mary called her Elizabeth; she called Mary Mrs. Lincoln. (4) She would respond to Mary Lincoln's "request" at the drop of a hat, even neglecting her profitable business. (5) the writing of her book was intended to put Mary in a positive light, but it backfired. (6) Mary's letters to Elizabeth were printed in the book only because Elizabeth was tricked by the publisher. (6) Elizabeth was a loyal friend, but was naive and trusted people too much.

An amazing book for history buffs who want a break from textbooks.

This book was a spectacular read. It brought the period to life in so many ways that had authenticity and a large amount of accuracy. As the title implies, there is a lot about dressmaking for Mary Lincoln in this book, which for someone like myself who loves fashion plates from the period, it was fun to read about! The book also gives a new light to what African Americans endured at the time, and includes social issues of the time for freed slaves. Most books only talk about the experience of the slave, but this includes the experience of the freedmen and freedwomen of the Civil War and Antebellum era. I will say the later half of the book leaves a little something to be desired in terms of story line and writing, however considering the accuracy to the historical accounts of what occurred, it is entirely forgivable. I never felt bored or like I couldn’t read any farther. This book kept my attention all the way through and I was constantly wishing to read it. After finishing it in less than a week I passed it off to my mom, who is now flying through the pages much like myself.