The House of Lincoln

This book is told by Ana Ferreira who is offered a job working for the Lincolns and assisting Mary Lincoln with her sons. She and her family immigrated to the Unites States from Madeira, Portugal. While working in the “House of Lincoln” Ana witnesses Abraham Lincolns thoughts on equality and his ascent from being a lawyer to being the President known as the Great Emancipator.

When not working she spends time with her family and her friend, Callie Patterson (Cal) who is free. Through her friendship with Cal, she witnesses not only racism but the workings of the Underground Railroad.

If you are looking for a book about Abraham Lincoln, now that this book is more about Ana and her experiences and life. She worked in the House of Lincoln and knew them. She tells not only the story of her life but the story of Abraham Lincoln, the civil war, riots, racism, the underground railroad, friendship, and hardship.

I enjoyed this book and found sections of this book to be gripping while other parts were slow. I learned something new while reading The House of Lincoln. I had never heard of the Springfield race riot of 1908 that took place in Lincoln’s hometown.

This book begins with Ana and her family’ experiences with being immigrants and follows her and the county and the war that shaped the nation. The author shows the physical and psychological effects of war, the trauma of losing loved ones, political aspirations, racism and the fight for freedom in this book.

Well written, well researched, and thought provoking.

#TheHouseOfLincoln #NetGalley #NancyHoran

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.