"Behind the Scenes (Annotated): Or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House" by Elizabeth Keckley offers a deeply personal account of her life, from slavery to her influential role within the White House as Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker and confidante. This annotated edition provides additional context, shedding light on the historical and social nuances of the Civil War era. Keckley’s narrative explores her own resilience, the complex dynamics of her relationship with the Lincoln family, and the broader societal challenges she faced. Her story offers an intimate glimpse into both her personal struggles and a nation at war.