The Lincolns in the White House: Four Years That Shattered a Family

by Jerrold M. Packard

From the day of Abraham Lincoln's inauguration, a nation divided by savage conflict confronted the new president. But what many don't know was that within the White House's walls, the Lincoln's 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 her southern roots, first lady Mary Lincoln's 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 Robert's success at Harvard made his parents proud, his relationship with them was troubled and would result in a painful estrangement, one which would eventually permanently separate him from his mother. The president's assassination brutally crushed Mary's always-fragile spirits. After leaving the White House and following Tad's early death, the former first lady retreated into increasing eccentricity and seclusion until her death in 1882. A moving and poignant portrait of the family life of America's greatest president.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American Civil War, Presidents

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Abraham Lincoln (and who doesn't) and Civil War history - you will enjoy this book. You read about the life of the Lincolns while in the White House, but set to the history of the big events of the Civil War. Very interesting and I thought it was pretty good writing. It gives a good picture of life at the time - the smells of animal dung and bugs and open sewers, combined with hot, heavy, wool clothing - gave me a feeling of what it might have felt like to live in the 1850's. Also gives some good insight into the complexity of Mary Lincoln's personality. She had a tough time. And really lived a sad life.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1861, the newly-elected Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by his wife, Mary, and their sons Willie and Tad, moved into the White House. Shortly after, the United States Civil War began. This is the story of the Lincoln family during their time in the most famous house in America.

I had put off reading this book for some time because I figured it was yet another Lincoln biography that encompassed the Civil War and Lincoln's entire life. I could not have been more wrong. This author assumes that you already know about Mr. Lincoln, what he stood for, and the circumstances surrounding his election. The author assumes this and therefore sees no reason to have to tell you yet again. So he starts his book with Lincoln's inauguration and the family moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He writes about how there was next to no White House staff and having to hire people. Mary Lincoln went on spending sprees around the country, spending more money than her husband could afford on "flub-dubs." At one point, the author describes Mary as a blackbird, with her affinity for pretty baubles. He also writes about Willie and Tad growing up in the White House and running around through important meetings, and playing with all kinds of animals indoors. He writes about the tragic death of Willie and later Abraham and Tad. He only vaguely mentions the Gettsyburg Address. Anyway, I liked this book because it provides a peek into the Lincoln family that you don't ordinarily get from other historical and biographical authors. You know the story, but not in this detail.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tragic time for this family!!! It was interesting to get a glimpse into the White House and Washington, D.C. during this time period - the disease, heat, insects, spittoons, heavy clothing, harmful medications, constant traffic around and through the White House. It was also a much more intimate portrait about the family that I was accustomed to reading. I felt the author unfairly characterized Mary as a bit of a bothersome outcast when it seemed like she was just trying to survive the numerous tragedies that befell her. For a President who ultimately preserved the Union, he was burdened with so much sadness from Lincoln's own family.
I also thought that the author's discussion of Abraham's sexuality didn't add anything to the book...nor did the details of the Civil War battles. I felt the author went off topic in those instances.

[Madmollyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was organized well, which made otherwise monotonous war reports and Mary drama a bit more palatable. A straightforward and fact-filled portrait of the Lincoln family during the presidential years- I read this after reading Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker and it help inform me and balance out the story.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent look at the family life of Abraham Lincoln during his tenure in the White House as America's sixteenth president. These four years absolutely changed the family. Illness, death, war, and a divided country. That's what this family faced as they took the reigns of America's government and moved into the White House. Packard's account is very interesting and well worth reading.

[Jeff Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lincolns in the White House

The Lincolns in the White House was an excellent book. Family life and how Lincoln conducted himself while in office, as a family man and as the President, at the White House was a compelling read. It was informative, joyous and sad. Lincoln’s experiences were given a wholistic perspective.

[Doug Tabner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer if you’re unfamiliar with the basics of the Lincoln family during their time in the White House. Focuses on Mary more than most Lincoln biographies, especially her spending issues.

I have nothing bad to say about this book, it’s just not very in depth. But it is a good, quick read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave a very close up view of the Lincoln administration, the American Civil War, and the Lincoln family during those years. It was one of the most sorrowful books I’ve ever read and deepened my admiration for Lincoln as a man and as a president.

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning about the Lincoln family's life while President Lincoln was in the White House. The author did a great job of describing what went on during the Civil War without getting into so much detail that it got overwhelming. I wish there had been some more photographs or illustrations, though.

[Gene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this immediately after reading "Lincoln" by David Herbert Donald. This was a good follow-up, providing some details and observations that were missing from the other.

[Kate Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Beautiful. Heart-wrenching.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book about the Lincoln's. Good details. Hard to imagine all they went through.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable, very nice last chapters.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slow reading at times but I did learn some new things about the Lincoln family.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. I enjoyed the many parts about Mary Lincoln's time in the White House.