ISU Book

The novel I choose for my ISU book is "Mrs. Lincoln's Dress Maker" by Jennifer Chiaverini.  This novel is about a mid forties African American women named Elizabeth Keckley, who bought her own freedom as well as her sons. Elizabeth has made a living as a dress maker, who is hired and befriended by Mrs. Lincoln herself (The presidents wife).  The plot of the story takes place during the civil war; as Elizabeth gets a front row seat to all the happenings in the White House. For example, the death of the Lincoln's son Willie, the signing of the Slave Emancipation Bill, and hearing all the gossip of her many highly esteemed patrons. The novel goes into great depth of the civil war, however, there are many character traits that are similar and greatly different between Elizabeth and Aminata, from "The Book of Negroes." So far, to chapter eight of the novel, it has been a good read. Many stories of Elizabeth's past are just being brought out, only making the two books easier to compare. I would recommend this book to anyone whom is found of history, or just looking for a good read!