May's Books

Elizabeth Keckly was born into slavery and bought her freedom and that of her son for $1200. A talented seamstress, she opened a shop in St. Louis, and soon counted among her customers the important and influential women of society. When Abraham Lincoln was elected to the presidency, Mary Todd Lincoln engaged Mrs. Keckly to sew new gowns for her important Washington functions.

When the President was assassinated, it was Lizzy Keckly who was constantly by Mary Lincoln’s side. And when the President’s widow left Washington with creditors on her heels, it was the dressmaker who helped her try to settle her debts.

A fascinating look at a former slave and the privileged southern woman and their relationship.

Chill Before Serving by Cynthia Lawrence
Death of a Dapper Snowman by Angela Pepper
Don't Dare a Dame by M. Ruth Myers
Bear in the Back Seat II by Kim DeLozier
The Good Spy: the Life and Death of Robert Ames by Kai Bird
Phantom Angel by David Handler
Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly: the Remarkable Story of the Friendship Between a First Lady and a Former Slave by Jennifer Fleischner