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Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
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Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House Paperback - 2005

by Elizabeth Keckley; Introduction by William L. Andrews

Originally published in 1868 when it was attacked as an 'indecent book' authored by a 'traitorous eavesdropper' Behind the Scenes is the story of Elizabeth Keckley, who began her life as a slave and became a privileged witness to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Keckley bought her freedom at the age of thirty-seven and set up a successful dressmaking business in Washington, D.C. She became modiste to Mary Todd Lincoln and in time her friend and confidante, a relationship that continued after Lincoln's assassination. In documenting that friendship often using the First Lady's own letters Behind the Scenes fuses the slave narrative with the political memoir. It remains extraordinary for its poignancy, candor, and historical perspective.


Summary

Originally published in 1868—when it was attacked as an “indecent book” authored by a “traitorous eavesdropper”—Behind the Scenes is the story of Elizabeth Keckley, who began her life as a slave and became a privileged witness to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Keckley bought her freedom at the age of thirty-seven and set up a successful dressmaking business in Washington, D.C. She became modiste to Mary Todd Lincoln and in time her friend and confidante, a relationship that continued after Lincoln’s assassination. In documenting that friendship—often using the First Lady’s own letters—Behind the Scenes fuses the slave narrative with the political memoir. It remains extraordinary for its poignancy, candor, and historical perspective.

  • First time in Penguin Classics

From the publisher

Originally published in 1868--when it was attacked as an "indecent book" authored by a "traitorous eavesdropper"--Behind the Scenes is the story of Elizabeth Keckley, who began her life as a slave and became a privileged witness to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Keckley bought her freedom at the age of thirty-seven and set up a successful dressmaking business in Washington, D.C. She became modiste to Mary Todd Lincoln and in time her friend and confidante, a relationship that continued after Lincoln's assassination. In documenting that friendship--often using the First Lady's own letters--Behind the Scenes fuses the slave narrative with the political memoir. It remains extraordinary for its poignancy, candor, and historical perspective.

  • First time in Penguin Classics

Details

  • Title Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
  • Author Elizabeth Keckley; Introduction by William L. Andrews
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 192
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Group, New York
  • Date 2005-07-26
  • Features Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780143039242 / 0143039245
  • Weight 0.35 lbs (0.16 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 in (19.30 x 12.70 x 1.52 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 1851-1899
    • Ethnic Orientation: African American
    • Sex & Gender: Feminine
    • Topical: Civil War
  • Library of Congress subjects African American women, Slaves - United States
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2004051363
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

About the author

Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley (1818-1907) was born a slave near Dinwiddie Court House, Virginia, and, after purchasing her freedom, became head of the Domestic Science Department at Wilberforce University in Ohio.
William L. Andrews is E. Maynard Adams Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of To Tell a Free Story and editor or coeditor of more than thirty books on African American literature.
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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)

by Keckley, Elizabeth

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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House

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Behind The Scenes: Or, Thirty Years A Slave, And Four Years in the White House
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Behind The Scenes: Or, Thirty Years A Slave, And Four Years in the White House

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Penguin, 2005. Softcover. Good Condition. Text appears clean, but may contain some marking that we missed. Some shelf wear may have bookstore stickers, or be former reference copy. Binding is is in good sturdy condition. Looks real nice. 168 pages. Multiple copies available this title. Quantity Available: 5. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Literature & Literary; ISBN: 0143039245. ISBN/EAN: 9780143039242. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 1561057717. . 9780143039242
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Behind The Scenes: Or, Thirty Years A Slave, And Four Years in the White House
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Behind The Scenes: Or, Thirty Years A Slave, And Four Years in the White House

by Keckley

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Penguin, 2005. Softcover. Very Good Condition. Text appears nice and clean, but may contain minor marks that we missed. Cover has light shelf and corner wear may have bookstore stickers or be former reference copy. Binding is in very good condition. Looks real nice. 168 pages. Multiple copies available this title. Quantity Available: 5. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Literature & Literary; ISBN: 0143039245. ISBN/EAN: 9780143039242. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 1561057716. . 9780143039242
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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)

by Elizabeth Keckley; Introduction-William L. Andrews

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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)

by Keckley, Elizabeth

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Behind the Scenes, Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House; Elizabeth...

Behind the Scenes, Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House; Elizabeth Keckley; Introduction and Notes by William L. Andrews

by Keckley, Elizabeth

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London: Penguin, 2005. Paperback. Near Fine. xxiv, 168 p.20 cm. Paperback. First published in 1868. Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley (1818-1907) was born a slave and purchased her own freedom at the age of 37; she proceeded to become a successful dressmaker in Washington, D.C. One of her clients was the First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882), with whom she developed a close relationship. "Their intimacy informs this extraordinary book, which is at once a slave narrative, a candid private view of the Lincoln White House during a violent turning point in American history, and the story of a friendship that continued after Lincoln's assassination." -- back cover. In Near Fine Condition: edges slightly rubbed; clean and tight.
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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)

by Elizabeth Keckley

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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)

by Keckley, Elizabeth; Andrews, William L. [Introduction]

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Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)

by Elizabeth Keckley, William L. Andrews (Introduction)

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