Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics) - Softcover
Synopsis
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.
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.
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.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPenguin Classics
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0143039245
- ISBN 13 9780143039242
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages192
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 12.07
Shipping:
US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Seller: Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region, Tacoma, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Acceptable. An acceptable and readable copy. All pages are intact, and the spine and cover are also intact. This item may have light highlighting, writing or underlining through out the book, curled corners, missing dust jacket and or stickers. Seller Inventory # 467IJT005MYG
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_404775448
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_405009217
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Seller: HPB-Movies, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_408887881
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_399332689
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_398341245
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_418399720
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes : Or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
Published by
Penguin Publishing Group, 2005
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 5202327-6
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (Penguin Classics)
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Good condition. This is the average used book, that has all pages or leaves present, but may include writing. Book may be ex-library with stamps and stickers. 0.3. Seller Inventory # 353-0143039245-gdd
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Behind the Scenes: or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House
Published by
Penguin Classics, New York, NY, 2005
ISBN 10: 0143039245
ISBN 13: 9780143039242
Used
Soft cover
Seller: Montana Book Company, Fond du Lac, WI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. 168 pp. Tightly bound. Spine not compromised. Text is free of markings. No ownership markings. Seller Inventory # 082872
Quantity: 1 available