[fusion_builder_container backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”” paddingtop=”20px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” equal_height_columns=”no” hundred_percent=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]Behind the Scenes, or Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House
By Elizabeth Keckley

“My best and kindest friend,” is how Elizabeth Keckley is described by Mary Todd Lincoln, who worked for Lincoln for her husband’s entire term and after his assassination. With an inside look at the Lincoln’s time in the White House, it underscores an exceedingly industrious and confident individual who was eons ahead of her time. A slave for 30 years, Keckley was able to buy her way out of slavery through her talent as a seamstress.

Her journey is an enlightening peek inside the African American culture of that time, with Keckley referencing her interactions with noted statesmen, Frederick Douglass, Robert E. Lee and others. The memoir created a national sensation at the time of its publication (1868) and many tried to suppress it due to its honest observations into the very private life of the Lincolns. It created a national scandal and Mary Todd dropped Keckley as her friend. Through her tenacity and determination, Keckley was able to accomplish what few could in her time.

I would say this is a must read for fans of Black History, Civil War buffs and the like. Given the time it was published, it is surprising that it was, in fact, ever printed.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]