Published by Pegasus Books, 2022, softcover, illustrated, index, 303 pages, condition: new.
An enlightening narrative revealing aspects of the former president's life that are often overlooked, An American Marriage tells the tragic story of Abraham Lincolns marriage to Mary Todd.
Abraham Lincoln was apparently one of those men who regarded connubial bliss as an untenable fantasy. During the Civil War, he pardoned a Union soldier who had deserted the army to return home to wed his sweetheart. As the president signed a document sparing the soldier's life, Lincoln said: I want to punish the young manprobably in less than a year he will wish I had withheld the pardon.
Based on thirty years of research, An American Marriage describes and analyzes why Lincoln had good reason to regret his marriage to Mary Todd. This revealing narrative shows that, as First Lady, Mary Lincoln accepted bribes and kickbacks, sold permits and pardons, engaged in extortion, and peddled influence. The reader comes to learn that Lincoln wed Mary Todd because, in all likelihood, she seduced him and then insisted that he protect her honor. Perhaps surprisingly, the 52 Mrs. Lincoln often physically abused her 64 husband, as well as her children and servants; she humiliated her husband in public; she caused him, as president, to fear that she would disgrace him publicly.
Unlike her husband, she was not profoundly opposed to slavery and hardly qualifies as the ardent abolitionist that some historians have portrayed. While she providid a useful stimulus to his ambition, she often crushed his spirit, as his law partner put it. In the end, Lincoln may not have had as successful a presidency as he didwhere he showed a preternatural ability to deal with difficult peopleif he had not had so much practice at home.
WOW! This is a great read about the Lincolns. I have read a number of the reviews already posted here and realize that a good portion of them are against this book and defend Mary Todd Lincoln. The author has done EXTENSIVE research for this book, and it is what it is. What it is not, is revisionist history which seems to be the "in thing" for teaching history nowadays in this country. Kudos Mr. Burlingame! Well done sir!
