Book Review for Mrs. Lincoln’s  Dressmaker By Jennifer Chiaverini

This story takes place in Washington City, District of Columbia during the Civil War. It is a story about the war and the fight to end slavery. It is a story about Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and their family and time in the White House. It is a story about Washington’s elite and a story about slaves, and former slaves. Most importantly, it is a story about Mrs. Elizabeth Keckley—Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker.

This story told from the point of view of Elizabeth Keckley—a former slave who eventually earned her freedom and worked as a talented seamstress to Washington City’s elite. She was selected by Mrs. Lincoln to be her modiste—to sew for and help dress the First Lady. She became a friend and confidante to Mrs. Lincoln and considered herself a good friend to Mr. Lincoln. She ran errands for Mrs. Lincoln and helped care for Mrs. Lincoln’s children when they were ill. She mourned with Mrs. Lincoln when her children and husband passed away. She helped Mrs. Lincoln move out of the White House. She left her sewing business multiple times at Mrs. Lincoln’s insistence that she travel with her.

Elizabeth writes her own memoir that includes details about her time in the White House with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln. She writes favorably of Mr. Lincoln and always tried to portray Mrs. Lincoln in the best possible light. She believes that Mrs. Lincoln was often misunderstood. However, the editor and publisher of her memoir took liberties with her story, exaggerating circumstances, changing facts, and printing private letters from Mrs. Lincoln that they were informed were not to be printed. The former First Lady is offended by Elizabeth’s memoir and the two former friends become estranged. The story goes on to share how each of these women live out the latter years of their life.

This book contains a very large cast of characters, covers over a forty-year period, and references a large number of historical events. I enjoyed the story especially the parts that shared details about the relationship between Mrs. Lincoln and Elizabeth. However, I would have preferred a story with fewer references to historical events and people. Reading this story helped me feel like I gained a better understanding of what life was like during the Civil War and provided me with a glance into the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, and her modiste Elizabeth Keckley. I recommend this book to those interested in American history, the Civil War, the Lincoln family, and of course Mrs. Elizabeth Keckley. The story kept me entertained and engaged. I give it a four-star rating.