Review: Lincoln's Little Girl. by Cecelia Holland
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 18, 2013
A fascinating  historical gem of. The Civil War era.  Abraham Lincoln was president of United States. Some of the cotton states in the south were growing restless.  Slavery was the controversial issue of the day, one they could not resolve.The south believed if the north would accept slave labor being used in the south, there would be no problem, however the north condemned slavery.  It was to jbe abolished.  The south was livid, refusing to give up slave labor saying it was impossible to run theirvast landholdings without slave labor.  It was time to recognize the black race as equal to the white race.  The south was livid. No way would this happen.  It seemed a separation between the states was likely.  Angry states held heated showdowns arguing which side they would honor.  Abraham Lincoln was president of the union and praying the states could resolve their differences, but that was not to be.Judge Taft and his aristocratic family were friends of the Lincoln's.  They lived near the White House.  The Taft family werehighly educated, their manners impeccable and taught their children the same.  The children, Willie and Tad Lincoln became fastfriends with Bud and Holly Taft.  In fact, Bud and Willie were bosom buddies so much so that when Willie was 11 years old and on his deathbed with typhoid fever, Willie begged Bud to hold his hand and not leave him because Bud gave him courage.  Bud never left his side until Abe came to check on Willie and found Bud exhausted still holding his buddy's hand. Mr. Lincoln gently picked him up and carried Bud to Willie's room and tucked him into bed, so grateful his son had such a loyal friend. The eldest Lincoln don, Bob, was away at Harvard studying.  The second Lincoln son, Eddie, was named for Lincoln's best friend and died of illness at the tender age of 4 years.  Julia Taft, 16 and very mature for her age idolized President Lincoln.  She was well-versed in politics of the times and spent many hours strolling by the White House, hoping to catch sight the President.  A few times Lincoln noticed the sweet young girl watching him and would bow and tip his hat to her.  Another day, he noticed Julia sitting on the White House steps reading and looking at the flower bed.  Impressed with her interest, he invited her to come into his office and he would take her on a tour of the mansion.  She was thrilled at the prospect of spending individual time with this great man.Contrary to what the Washingtonians thought, Abraham's wife ,Mary, was not dull and unsophisticated.  She was from a highly reputable old aristocratic Virginia family who treated Mary with honor and respect, not like the people In Washington who ignored and snubbed her.  This shocked and offended her, as she wasn't just anyone, she was the wife of the President of the United States of America, the nation's First Lady.  She was lonely and missed her women friends gab sessions.  she wanted desperately to be accepted and included.  Thus it was the perfect time for Lincoln to run into Mary with Julia.  He introduced Mary to Julia and Julia to the First Lady.  Julie blushed, performing  a slight curtsy telling Mary how thrilled she was to meet her and how fortunately to have this powerful man, himself, take her on a tour.  Mary took Julie's hand, pressing it to her heart and smiled into Julia's beautiful twinkling eyes , so thankful to meet this charming young lady who impressed her joyfully,telling  her how lonely she was, that Julie was the perfect touch to cheer her. Mary smiled at her husband telling Julia that he always knew just the right thing to please her.Mary knew, on sight, that Julia Taft was to be special to,her.  They met many times enjoying tea and women talk, about children, decorating, as this was something Mary would be doing as soon as funds became available, they talked fashion" what the women on the street were wearing, where to shop, good restaurants, schooling, oh so many things and Julia asked many questions that Mary was more than happy to answer.While the girls were busy with girl talk, the President spent time joining in playing with the boys, and no one had more fun or laughed the hardest than Lincoln.  This was a way Lincoln could unwind from his horrendous schedule and pressures of his job.  When Lincoln was a lad he had few play times.  He did not know how to be a kid, there was always. So much work to do and decided that he would not let his sons miss their childhood if he could help it.I loved this book so much.  It affected me deeply.  I laughed, I cried, I dreamed, and like Abe and Mary Lincoln, I adored little Julia Taft. She was like a princess in the Lincoln era White House, bringing in laughter, jokes for Lincoln and his sons; she was the little girl Mary Lincoln dreamed of having and never had, treasuring every minute she spent with her beautiful little friend.Julia spent endless hours discussing fashions, trying on dresses and helping Mary choose dresses for different occasions, valuing her fashion sense and sense of color and style, quite remarkable for one so young.  Mary appreciated her youthful advice , her sharp eye for fashion.  Julia loved Mary like a second mother.  She adored President Lincoln and felt so fortunate to be in his company.almost daily.Carole la Flamme Beighey