Black Narratives

Elizabeth Keckley

• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781513276120
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Social Science Biographies
• Index: Social Sciences

Elizabeth Keckley reveals the hardships of slavery and the changing political climate in Washington amongst the country's most powerful couple, Abraham and Mary Lincoln. Keckley had unprecedented access, giving insight into their state during and after the Civil War.

Elizabeth Keckley was born into slavery and experienced a traumatic upbringing riddled with physical and sexual violence. One attack resulted in the birth of her son, whom she named George. Elizabeth was a gifted seamstress who used her skills to save money to buy her and her son's freedom. She ventured North and started a career as a dressmaker to influential women in political circles. One of her most notable clients was Mary Todd Lincoln, with whom she developed a close friendship.

Behind the Scenes is a harrowing story of one woman's unshakable drive. Despite her limiting circumstances, Elizabeth Keckley earned her freedom and became a successful entrepreneur. It's an inspiring tale that provides a personal account of one of the most volatile times in American history.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Behind the Scenes is both modern and readable.

Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.

With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• I. Where I was born
• II. Girlhood and its Sorrows
• III. How I gained my Freedom
• IV. In the Family of Senator Jefferson Davis
• V. My Introduction to Mrs. Lincoln
• VI. Willie Lincoln’s Death-bed
• VII. Washington in 1862–3
• VIII. Candid Opinions
• IX. Behind the Scenes
• X. The Second Inauguration
• XI. The Assassination of President Lincoln
• XII. Mrs. Lincoln leaves the White House
• XIII. The Origin of the Rivalry between Mr. Douglas and Mr. Lincoln
• XIV. Old Friends
• XV. The Secret History of Mrs. Lincoln’s Wardrobe in New York
• Appendix—Letters from Mrs. Lincoln to Mrs. Keckley
• A Note About the Author
• A Note from the Publisher