Behind the Scenes

Originally published in 1868--when it was attacked as an indecent book authored by a traitorous eavesdropper--<b>Behind the Scenes</b> 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--<b>Behind the Scenes</b> fuses the slave narrative with the political memoir. It remains extraordinary for its poignancy candor and historical perspective.<ul><li><p>First time in Penguin Classics</p></li></ul>