The First Lady and the Rebel

A Novel

By: Susan Higginbotham

Narrated by: Tiffany Morgan

From celebrated author Susan Higginbotham comes an incredible book about Abraham Lincoln's First Lady and, on the other side of the Civil War, her sister.

A Union's First Lady

As the Civil War cracks the country in two, Mary Lincoln stands beside her husband praying for a swift Northern victory. But as the body count rises, Mary can't help but fear each bloody gain. Because her beloved sister Emily is across party lines, fighting for the South, and Mary is at risk of losing both her country and her family in the tides of a brutal war.

A Confederate Rebel's Wife

Emily Todd Helm has married the love of her life. But when her husband's Southern ties pull them into a war neither want to join, she must make a choice. Abandon the family she has built in the South or become a true rebel woman fighting against the sister she has always loved best.

With a country's legacy at stake, how will two sisters shape history?

A Civil War book about two women determined to do the right thing, The First Lady and the Rebel is sure to inspire fans of Marie Benedict and Stephanie Dray.

©2019 Susan Higginbotham (P)2022 Tantor

Very enjoyable

I enjoyed this novel much more than I expected I would. Having read a lot about Lincoln and his life and times, I was familiar with Mary and Emily, who personified the aspect of the war breaking families apart. The Todd family was fractured as were so many families at that time. This novel gives an account of both Mary and Emily's lives before and during the war and has an epilogue after the war. That these two women, so close and loving before 1860, would both lose brothers and husbands while being on opposing sides in the war was very sad, as was the fact they eventually became estranged. So much loss was impossible for Mary to deal with. The narration was a little sing-songy at times but never interfered with the story, which was very well-written. I feel I learned a lot about Mary and 'Little Sister' and am glad I read it.

interesting read

how Mrs.Lincoln seemed to became more snobbish while criticizing other people for being snobbish. I emphasize with her loss of her sons as I have also lost mine