Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker
 

I just finished Jennifer Chiaverini’s latest book, Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker.
This is one of her better books. I give it a good review.

I was wondering how much was true and how much was fiction, Jennifer stayed with the facts, embellishing only to make an interesting story. I located this biography of Elizabeth which I found interesting to back up the facts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Keckly

If you would like to read the book that is mentioned in the story, I found it free for the Kindle on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Scenes-...+years+a+slave

The recent movie on Lincoln showed Elizabeth Keckly in the box at Ford’s theater when President Lincoln was shot. She was not there, I found no references to indicate that she was present. Jennifer Chiaverini’s version is more likely.

Jean

I've read the free Keckley book from Amazon, but have not read Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker yet. I generally like Chiaverini but am waiting for the price to go down. My inner cheapskate just can't pay that much for a book yet and the library here won't get it.

Thanks for your review of the book. I love to get other people's opinions before I buy book.

I have read Jennifer Chiverani's book also. It inspired me to search out and read Elizabeth Keckley's book. I found that Jennifer's novel closely followed Keckley's account. I have also read Jean R. Baker's Biography on Mary Todd Lincoln. In ts she quotes several times directly from Elizabeth Keckley's memoirs. I enjoyed the books tremendously. Another book I would recommend is one on the "other Civil War first Lady" Varina Davis - Jefferson Davis's wife. it is "First Lady of the Confederacy, Varina Davis" by Joan E. Cashin. Elizabeth Keckley is also quoted as in the Biography. If schools would mention more on these real life people, history would be so much more interesting!

Thanks for the review. Several years ago I went through a phase of reading historical fiction about first ladies. I loved all the Elm Creek Quilters and am looking forward to finding this one. Think I'l check out the library.l

Thanks for the info on Mrs. Davis, I just put a hold on it at my library.

On my Kindle but just haven't gotten to it yet. Soon I hope, given the great comments I've seen on the board.

I'm waiting till the price goes down a bit before buying this book...budget prevents my splurge. Just getting antsy waiting to read it....

check your local library. You may have to place a hold and wait in line. That is what I do.

when I hear a new book is going to be coming out, I go right away and place my hold if they have an order record.

I'd seen a mention of it in the local paper so bought the $6.12 version on Amazon for my Kindle. Didn't realize there was a free one! Am about 1/3 of the way through the first one and downloaded the free one today to ck. differences. Free one has fewer pages but will ck to see how diff they are. Amazon cust svc said if they're alike they may credit me for the paid one! She sounds like an interesting lady for sure!

Thank you SO much for the information.. After your message, I spent quite awhile reading about "Elizabeth" on Wikipidia..Have downloaded the free kindle copy on my Christmas kindle.. thanks again....Very noble looking portrait on there......

Ohh! Thank you sooooo much! I just ordered it from Amazon for my kindle!

Me too!! Now I am heading for the website of my library to see what I can get there for free!!-oops! forgot, my taxes paid for that!!!!!

I read Elizabeth Keckley's book "Behind the Scenes or, Thirty years a slave, and Four Years in the White House", several years ago, and really enjoyed it. It amazed me that a woman who came from slavery could earn her freedom, and open a dressmaking business, and not only make beautiful dresses for the first lady, but for the Washington elite as well. She used her skills at dressmaking to her advantage, and it saved her from slavery.[h=1][/h]

I loved Chiaverini's new book, too. Thanks for the link to Keckly's autobiography!

Yep!! Free IS getting tossed around here...It cost me a year's membership for my 'free' stuff on kindle...Mmmm..

Thanks for this - especially for the info about the Kindle book! I've downloaded it and plan to read it soon.

Anyone who does not have a Kindle can read this book - yes, for free(!) on the free Kindle for PC (and other devices) http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000493771 .

I've been wanting this book but am too cheap to buy it. Finally got around to checking my library website yesterday and luckily they have it. I put a hold on it and am just waiting for the e-mail that it's ready for me to pick up. Sounds like a very interesting book!

Thanks....just downloaded the free book for my Kindle....now to check out Jennifer's latest book!!!

Thanks for the info. I just downloaded for free too. And I don't have any kind of paid membership with them.

I am about half way though Jennifer's book and really am enjoying it. I have made a note for the other two book and will look for them for my kindle too.

Thank you so much for the tip - I put Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker on my Kindle and look forward to reading it. I am a big fan of Lincoln and he's my favorite president. The movie "Lincoln" was fabulous and I highly recommend all to see it.

Thanks for the free info and the book review. I have a Nook and got gift cards for my birthday and had this book earmarked to purchase.

Thanks!! I need to get back to reading.

After reading this post I got Elizabeth Kleckley's book and have read about a third of it so far. I'm amazed at how well she expressed herself, in spite of having grown up a slave - she wrote better than many modern people who have been required to go to school, and I'm sure it was not easy for her to get an education. She was sensitive and perceptive, and very respectful not to violate Mrs. Lincoln's privacy but wishing to set straight the many detractors of that time. Her experiences tie in nicely with the recent movie about Lincoln - indeed is obviously one of the resources used by modern writers on the subject of the Lincoln family. I may eventually get around to reading Jennifer Chiaverini’s novel, but love having access to this original source.

Thanks a bunch, I just downloaded it to my laptop and my Kindle.:D For all U avid readers get the book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lack by Rebecca Skloot, it was a best seller a couple years ago and will blow your MIND!

I got mine from the library. It was ok but completely different from her other books. To me it was more of a history book