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Title details for An American Marriage by Michael Burlingame - Available

An American Marriage

by Michael Burlingame
Stephen R. Thorne
Audiobook
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An enlightening narrative exploring an oft-overlooked aspect of the sixteenth president's life, An American Marriage reveals the tragic story of Abraham Lincoln's marriage to Mary Todd.
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 listener 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 5'2" Mrs. Lincoln often physically abused her 6'4" 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 provided 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 did—where he showed a preternatural ability to deal with difficult people—if he had not had so much practice at home.
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Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc Edition: Unabridged

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  • ISBN: 9781666189612
  • File size: 352572 KB
  • Release date: December 21, 2021
  • Duration: 12:14:31
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Formats

OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Biography & Autobiography History Nonfiction

Languages

English

An enlightening narrative exploring an oft-overlooked aspect of the sixteenth president's life, An American Marriage reveals the tragic story of Abraham Lincoln's marriage to Mary Todd.
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 listener 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 5'2" Mrs. Lincoln often physically abused her 6'4" 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 provided 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 did—where he showed a preternatural ability to deal with difficult people—if he had not had so much practice at home.
Expand title description text
Biography & Autobiography History Nonfiction