audiobook The Dark Days of Abraham Lincoln’s Widow; as Revealed by Her Own Letters by Myra Helmer Pritchard in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very InterestingBy JaneI had always been under the impression that Mary Todd Lincoln was a bitter; bossy; extremely hard to get along with woman. But after reading this book; I have a much better understanding of her true personality. She grew up under a very stern; strict step-mother and seems Mary wasn't given much free time to just be a young girl. Gaining her freedom by living with her older sister first; getting married; becoming First Lady and trying to keep up with the expectations of that rank and status; applied far more pressure than any one woman should have to endure. In the midst of this; two sons became gravely ill with one dying at such a young age. She barely has time to grief under the watchful eyes of the nation; when her husband is assassinated; and she loses another son before his adulthood. After reading this book; I now see that Mary Todd Lincoln had a strong will which was nearly shattered by the deep depression that crept over her and which she could do nothing to stop it. No wonder her son; Robert; was so worried about her. This strange personality that had taken hold of her was perhaps the only way her mind knew to protect itself from more depression. One can certainly sympathize with all she and her son had to go through during the years after Abraham's death and the country's civil war. The letters written by Mary are quite revealing as to the depression she was undergoing. I can honestly say that now I have a greater admiration for this strong-willed woman who was pressed from all sides but never fully broken. What courage she and her son shared in the midst of such family tragedies.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Book Robert Lincoln Didn't Want PublishedBy Connie NealI am an avid reader of books about Abraham Lincoln and those close to him. I have been intrigued by Mary Lincoln but always felt that she was getting a bad rap. She was initially presented to the world through the lens of men who did not like her -- to put it mildly -- (Hay and Nicolay; Herndon). So I have read more about her from friendlier sources. When I discovered that this book included her letters to friends penned while she was incarcerated as insane after her son brought her to trial; I jumped at the chance to hear her voice at one of the most trying times in a tragic life. These letters were initially slated to be published in 1927 by the granddaughter of the woman to whom many of them were written; after she and Robert Lincoln passed away. At that time Robert Lincoln's widow paid over $20;000 to keep the letters suppressed. They were rediscovered in 2005 and finally published. The editor offered corrections and contradictory positions to some of the statements; but I liked that Kindle put those editorial comments at the end. So I could read a book that was biased in favor of Mary Lincoln for a change.Connie Neal; author of many books found at [...]0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Really good book. If you are interested in HistoryBy CustomerReally good book. If you are interested in History; you will love it. Kind of sad.