Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1989
Book Brief
BetaBehind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1989404
Book • Nonfiction
Washington, D.C. • 1860s
1989
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House is the autobiography of Elizabeth Keckley, a formerly enslaved person who became a respected seamstress and confidante to Mary Todd Lincoln. The book details Keckley's experiences, illustrating her journey from enslavement to her role in the Lincoln White House, offering a unique perspective on both personal and historical events.
Informative
Contemplative
Emotional
Challenging
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
6,835 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House by Elizabeth Keckley offers a unique perspective into 19th-century American society. Praised for its firsthand account of slavery and life in the Lincoln White House, the narrative is compelling and enlightening. However, some critics note occasional biases and discrepancies in historical details. Overall, it remains a valuable and insightful historical document.
Who Should Read Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House?
Readers who appreciate vivid historical narratives and personal accounts of resilience, similar to The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois or Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, would enjoy Elizabeth Keckley's Behind the Scenes. It's perfect for those intrigued by slavery, the Civil War era, or intimate White House insights.
6,835 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
404
Book • Nonfiction
Washington, D.C. • 1860s
1989
Adult
18+ years
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