Lincolns in the White House Four Years That Shattered a Family

A divided nation and an equally divided familythis invaluable portrait goes behind the closed doors of one of Americas most captivating presidential families From the day of Abraham Lincolns inauguration, a nation divided by savage conflict confronted the new president. But what many dont know was that within the White Houses walls, Lincolns family would soon find itself suffering turmoil mirroring that of the nation he led. Savagely criticized for her extravagance by the American public and widely distrusted because of hersouthern roots, first lady Mary Lincolns increasing instability would deeply strain her marriage and eventually end in her mental collapse. The couple was devastated when eleven-year-old Willie died in the White House of typhoid fever. Tad, the youngest son, remained the family joy despite his physical impairments. Though their son Roberts success at Harvard made his parents proud, his relationship with them was troubled and would result in a painful estrangement, one which would permanently separate him from his mother. The presidents assassination brutally crushed Marysalways-fragile spirits. After leaving the White House and following Tads early death, the former first lady retreated intoincreasing eccentricity andseclusionuntil her death in 1882. A moving and poignant portrait of the family life of Americas greatest president.Packard, Jerrold M. is the author of 'Lincolns in the White House Four Years That Shattered a Family', published 2005 under ISBN 9780312313029 and ISBN 0312313020.