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

Author: Elizabeth Keckley

Narrator: Adenrele Ojo

Unabridged: 6 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/08/2022

Synopsis

Born in Virginia in 1818, Elizabeth Keckley grew up enslaved until she was able to purchase her and her son's freedom with money made from working as a seamstress. As she continued to perfect her craft, her styles caught the attention of the elite in Washington D.C. It wasn't until the day of Abraham Lincoln's inauguration that she crossed paths with Mary Todd Lincoln, who took Elizabeth on as her personal confidante and seamstress. Behind the Scenes not only offers an intimate look into the enslaved and free life of Elizabeth Keckley but also the lives of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. At the time of publication, the lives of presidents and their families were private and not known to the public—this book gave everyone an idea of what it was like inside the White House.

About Elizabeth Keckley

Elizabeth Keckley (1818-1907) was a former slave and was best known as being a personal confidante to Mary Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's wife and the First Lady. After being freed, she become a successful seamstress, author, and civil rights activist. Her autobiography, Behind the Scenes, not only gives a history of her life but also gives insight into the First Family's affairs.

About Adenrele Ojo

Adenrele Ojo is an experienced audiobook narrator and actor. A self-described theater brat, she spent many late nights as a young child falling asleep on theatre chairs as her dad directed and her mother performed. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Philadelphia, she received her bachelor of arts in theater from Hunter College in New York.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Pam on March 18, 2024

Mrs. Keckley’s book is remarkable in several ways. It begins with her early life as part of what the title says, “Thirty Years a Slave.” Slave memoirs are fairly uncommon and those from a female perspective rarer still. Keckley was subjected to all the horrors of the system from beatings from childh......more

Goodreads review by KOMET on April 15, 2022

This slim book, written by Elizabeth Keckley, onetime modiste of Mary Todd Lincoln during her husband's tenure in the White House, and subsequently her confidante, is a testament to a most remarkable woman. Keckley, who was born a slave in Virginia in 1818, generally speaks very openly about her ear......more

Goodreads review by Lois on July 27, 2018

This was interesting but far too much about Mary Todd Lincoln and her family struggles. I wish the beginning which dealt with Elizabeth's life in bondage had been expanded and that story fleshed out. Much of Keckley's attitudes and feelings are bizarre to me. I don't understand why she wanted to pay......more

Goodreads review by Julie on July 26, 2020

Well. I am disgruntled. Dis. Gruntled. There are many reasons for my disgruntlement. To start, Keckley's life is 2000% more interesting than Mary Todd Lincoln's. There. I said it. Perhaps it is owing to the moment in time in which we find ourselves, but the daughter of a slave-owning Lexingtonian wh......more

Goodreads review by Amanda on April 01, 2009

I bought this book when I went to the Lincoln Museum and home in Springfield, IL. I picked it up because - as you might be able to tell - I'm very interested in women's side of history. This was written by Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave and the dressmaker and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln. It is......more

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