Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics) - Softcover
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
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Back Cover:
Only a few years later, however, that relationship was in ruins, when this 1868 book created a scandal. Intended by Keckley to rehabilitate the reputation of the former First Lady--who had run up extensive debts on clothing and other luxuries while in the White House, and found herself unable to repay them after the President's assassination--the book was perceived instead as a betrayal of friendship.
About the Author:
Perhaps one of the first examples of celebrity gossip publishing gone awry, Behind the Scenes does, nevertheless, offer an insider perspective on the Lincoln White House that will intrigue armchair historians and fans of biography alike.
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.
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.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPenguin Classics
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0143039245
- ISBN 13 9780143039242
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages192
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 13.48
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Loki&#..., 2019
Softcover
Wildsi..., 2013
Softcover
Indepe..., 2019
Softcover
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Seller Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics) by Keckley, Elizabeth [Paperback ]
Published by
Penguin Classics
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Soft Cover
Quantity: 10
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780143039242
Buy New
US$ 13.48
Convert currency
Seller Image
Behind The Scenes : Or, Thirty Years A Slave, And Four Years in the White House
Published by
Penguin Classics
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Softcover
Quantity: 5
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 3317835-n
Buy New
US$ 14.76
Convert currency
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes Format: Paperback
Published by
Penguin Random House
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Softcover
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 0143039245
Buy New
US$ 10.78
Convert currency
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Published by
Penguin Classics
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition. Seller Inventory # bk0143039245xvz189zvxnew
Buy New
US$ 15.56
Convert currency
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Published by
Penguin Classics
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-0143039245-new
Buy New
US$ 15.56
Convert currency
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Published by
Penguin Classics
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # DADAX0143039245
Buy New
US$ 15.57
Convert currency
Seller Image
Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Paperback)
Published by
Penguin Books, New York, NY
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. This fascinating autobiography describes one woman's life as a slave and subsequently her four years in Lincoln's White House during the Civil War. Through the eyes of this black woman, a seamstress and dressmaker who was only a few years removed from being a 'slave for life', we see historical figures and events ranging from the Lincolns in their private chambers to the return to Richmond after the fall of the Confederate capital. Originally published in 1868awhen it was attacked as an aindecent booka authored by a atraitorous eavesdropperaa"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 Lincolnas assassination. In documenting that friendshipaoften using the First Ladyas own lettersa"Behind the Scenes" fuses the slave narrative with the political memoir. It remains extraordinary for its poignancy, candor, and historical perspective. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780143039242
Buy New
US$ 18.49
Convert currency
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes
Published by
Penguin Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Softcover
Quantity: 3
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. pp. xxiv + 168. Seller Inventory # 26662350
Buy New
US$ 16.28
Convert currency
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes
Published by
Penguin Books
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. pp. xxiv + 168. Seller Inventory # 8234129
Buy New
US$ 15.50
Convert currency
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Published by
Penguin Classics
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0143039245
Buy New
US$ 21.94
Convert currency