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Susan Higginbotham
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The First Lady and the Rebel: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln Paperback – October 1, 2019

by Susan Higginbotham (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 252 ratings
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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.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sourcebooks Landmark
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    149264708X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1492647089
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Susan Higginbotham has done it again―crafted a richly detailed novel that immerses readers in America’s Civil War. The First Lady and the Rebel explores the tragic story of a family and a nation torn apart, while shedding light on rarely reported events in the personal life of Abraham Lincoln. Mary Todd Lincoln, the President’s wife, and her sister, Emily Todd Helm, are devoted to their husbands and to each other, yet find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict as they face overwhelming grief and loss. The novel presents a devastating time and place rendered so vividly you’ll feel as if you’d lived through the war yourself. Higginbotham’s painstaking and extensive research is evident from the engaging first chapter to the novel’s moving conclusion. For those who like their historical novels based on real people, this book is a must-read." ― Amy Belding Brown, author of Flight of the Sparrow

"Well-told and engaging...an enjoyable and solid piece of historical fiction." ― All About Romance

"Higginbotham does a great job portraying her characters with complexity and nuance, while also illuminating the circumstances of a war that tore families apart. Historical fiction enthusiasts will delight in this revealing view of the relationship between Union supporter Mary and her Southern-sympathizing sister." ― Publishers Weekly

"This work pays meticulous attention to historical detail while weaving an enthralling tale of the private life of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as the ups and downs of Mary’s relationship with Emily. This page-turner will please those who enjoy Civil War–era settings." ― Library Journal

"Higginbotham is a meticulous researcher, and The First Lady and the Rebel reveals a tenuous, often fraught relationship, not uncommon between two sisters, that will fascinate her readers." ― Booklist

"It is well-researched and full of detail about American history" ― Historical Novel Society

"Historical fiction at it best: A unique, intimate view of a character we thought we knew. The Civil War comes to life through two sisters on opposite sides, one the first lady of the not-so United States. And through it all, a fascinating family saga. I learned a lot and loved this book." ― Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of American Duchess

"Susan Higginbotham's The First Lady and the Rebel is a meticulously researched and powerfully written account of the complicated and compelling relationship between the Todd sisters. Higginbotham's two female protagonists are bonded by blood and love, but pulled apart by war. Set against the sweeping backdrop of our nation's Civil War, this is the tragic and true story of human hearts both fierce and fallible, of deeply mixed loyalties, and of the imperfect but inspiring individuals who were asked to do the unimaginable. Moving and enlightening." ― Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Empress

About the Author

Susan Higginbotham is the author of seven historical novels, including Hanging Mary, The Stolen Crown, and The Queen of Last Hopes. The Traitor's Wife, her first novel, was the winner of ForeWord Magazine's 2005 Silver Award for historical fiction and was a Gold Medalist, Historical/Military Fiction, 2008 Independent Publisher Book Awards. She writes her own historical fiction blog, History Refreshed. Higginbotham has worked as an editor and an attorney, and lives in Maryland with her family.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks Landmark (October 1, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 149264708X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1492647089
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 252 ratings

About the author

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Susan Higginbotham

Susan Higginbotham

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Susan Higginbotham's meticulously researched historical fiction brought to life by her heartfelt writing delights readers. Higginbotham runs her own historical fiction/history blog, History Refreshed by Susan Higginbotham. She has worked as an editor and an attorney and lives in Maryland with her family.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
252 global ratings
A captivating powerful historical fiction
5 Stars
A captivating powerful historical fiction
The First Lady and the Rebel is award-winning author Susan Higginbotham’s, latest novel. A captivating and powerful book that captures the sisterly relationship of Mary Todd Lincoln and her sister, Emily Todd Helm, wife of a Confederate general.
The author has created a compelling dual narration, that gives us an intimate look into the lives of two of the most notable woman in civil war history.
1839, Mary Todd travels from her home in Lexington, Ky., for an extended visit with her married sister, Elizabeth Edwards, in Springfield, Ill. Elizabeth’s house drew everyone of of importance in Springfield. A luxurious mansion, that held Sunday parties where the best educated society of Springfield gathered.
A chance encounter with a quiet and reserved gentlemen Mr Abraham Lincoln, He captures Mary’s attention right from the start with his intellectual face. Mary’s passion for politics and her unladylike ways of saying what she thought. Seeks every opportunity to engage Mr Lincoln. After the on again off again dramatics the two eventually do marry.
Soon after Mr. Abraham Lincoln is elected president, The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 caused seven southern states to secede and form the Confederate States of America. With impending war just on the horizon Mr Lincoln extends an offer of Union Army Paymaster to his brother-in-law, Hardin Helm, who is married to Mary’s younger sister, Emily. Hardin declines the job and offers his services to Jefferson Davis and the Confederate States, where he was initially a colonel and later promoted to brigadier general. Helm commanded the 1st Kentucky Brigade.
Like so many torn families during The Civil War the Todd sisters were divided my family and state-loyalties along with moral and politics beliefs. Steadfast in their loyalty to their husbands, who both become tragic victims to the war. The once close relationship the sisters shared is shattered and broken as War rages through the country. This immensely character driven book, I enjoyed every page in this richly detailed period piece of historical fiction . The author skillfully leads the reader right from the first page all the way through to end heart rendering ending.
Emily Todd Hardin along with her children, like so many dedicated woman, became nomadic, moving from one encampment to another in constant fear that her husband would be wounded or killed in battle.
This was a perfect read for me. Both historical true and well researched. Higginbotham, once again delivers in immersive and deeply moving novel.
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Top reviews from the United States

PaTTee
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
Loved the story about Mary Todd Lincoln and her half sister. Even though historical fiction, I can see this as a good portrayal of Mary.
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Ruth_H_C
4.0 out of 5 stars Two sisters on opposite sides
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is an enjoyable look at two sisters on opposite sides of the Civil War: Mary Lincoln and her half-sister, Emily Todd Helm. It begins with Mary's courtship with Abraham Lincoln and proceeds through his assassination, with an epilogue that summarizes both women's lives after the war. I like that the alternating perspectives allow us to see both the Union and Confederate perspectives on the conflict.

The only reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five is that I prefer novels in this genre to delve more into the characters' psychology, offering insight into WHY they are the way they are, instead of presenting their personalities as a given. I felt the novel was lacking in this aspect. Although I can't fault Higginbotham for her choices (we don't all find the same things fascinating), The First Lady and the Rebel fell short of what I would rate a 5-star read.
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Christine
5.0 out of 5 stars Spellbinding
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2021
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I rarely read books on American history as I find it quite dull. Probably due to the horrible teaching we had in the 70s. I only chose to read this book because I adore this author and she never disappoints. I positively loved this book and getting to know about Mary Lincoln, her sister Emily and, of course, Abraham. Historically accurate and never boring. I promise you that you will be happy you chose to read it too.
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Patty Hankins
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful novel about the Todd sisters.
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
Throughly enjoyable novel about two Todd sisters - Mary the wife of Abraham Lincoln, President during the Civil War and Emily the wife of Benjamin Hardin Helm, a Confederate general. Susan Higgenbotham brings the two women, their families and worlds to live in this delightful book. The Civil War is talked about as a war between brothers. This book shows how it also affected sisters.
2 people found this helpful
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joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews
4.0 out of 5 stars solid historical fiction
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2023
an Higginbotham

Wars are fought by soldiers but they are not the only victims. Families are torn apart, loyalties are tested and, bonds either sever or become stronger. We see that in our time and it was also true during the Civil War.

This is the story of two sisters, one perhaps more well known than the other. Mary Todd became Mrs. Lincoln while Emily Todd married Hardin Helm. Each husband chose a side in the war-one was president and the other a Civil War General who served President Davis. Thus, the sisters were also put on opposite sides. It was an incredibly difficult time for all.

Ms. Higginbotham tells this story well. Historical fiction lovers, this is a very good read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in 2019.
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Elsewhere
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting perspective, lackluster dialogue
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
I appreciated an opportunity to better acquaint myself with the breadth of Mary Lincoln’s sacrifices and losses. Also, an alternative explanation for her erratic behaviors was of interest as a similar theory for King Henry VIII’s irrational reactions and mood swings was recently posited in a BBC documentary. I also found her sister, Emily, to be a compelling character as we watch her grow her own strength and purpose. However, I agree with other reviews that cite a lack of emotional connection to the characters in this story. While the dialogue moves the story forward, it is often predictable or banal. It seems, to me, to be the weak spot in this novel. Had the characters had more distinctive speech patterns, idiosyncrasies, or development, this could have been an excellent book. As it is, I kept thinking that the dialogue was “clunky” or awkward which was too bad because the author had obviously invested a great deal of effort in the research of this project.
One person found this helpful
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pew excelent continuation of a great war series, hopefully the story will continue to see what Jac
5.0 out of 5 stars The first lady and the rebel
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
I very much enjoyed reading this book it brought to me a different perspective about the civil war this was about both sides and feelings enjoyed it and it was well written
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P. Woodland
4.0 out of 5 stars The First Lady and the Rebel
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2019
Mary Todd leaves home to spend time with her married sister Elizabeth in Illinois. There it is hoped she will find a husband. She goes to a number of parties and balls but it’s only one man who appeals to her – Abraham Lincoln. A lot of other men are put off by her interest in politics and the news of the day. But Mr. Lincoln finds her fascinating. Their relationship goes through some bumps as does his political career but ultimately they get married and as we all know he gets elected president.

Mary’s sister Emily also comes to Illinois but does not find a husband so she looks elsewhere and finds the love of her life in Hardin Helm, a lawyer and politician from Kentucky. The two sisters are close but when the war breaks out they find themselves on opposite sides as Emily’s husband refuses a post from President Lincoln as he feels he must stay loyal to Kentucky.

What follows is the compelling, heartbreaking tale of sisters separated by War, finding themselves on opposite sides due to their loyalty to their husbands. The Civil War tore so many families apart in this way. The First Lady and the Rebel shares how the divide impacted even the family of the man trying to hold the union together.

Ms. Higginbotham builds this story at a nice pace with lots of historical detail about these very human people, some of whom have attained an almost mythical allure. Most of us know the stories about Abraham Lincoln and some about Mary Todd Lincoln. I knew nothing about her sister or about this break in the family due to the Civil War.

The book is told in not quite alternating chapters from either Emily’s or Mary’s point of view. It starts before the war, carries the reader through the horror and suffering of those living through it and those trying to manage it and breaks the readers’ hearts with the deaths of both men; one in battle and one through assassination. I don’t think I’m spoiling anything here as history is history. It continues the sisters’ lives post War as widows – both fighting for relevance in different ways.

I will admit it took me a little time to engage with this book but once I did, I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. It’s a compelling and ultimately sad story of finding love and losing it.

4.5

I received a free copy for my honest review
2 people found this helpful
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