Six Months at the White House

by Francis Bicknell Carpenter

Six Months at the White House was written by Francis Bicknell Carpenter after the unexpected popularity of a series of articles published in the New York Independent relating to Abraham Lincoln following his assassination. Carpenter, a Civil War portrait painter, was originally hired to capture President Lincoln in the picture, "First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation before the Cabinet." During the six months occupied in painting this picture, Carpenter enjoyed constant interaction with the President, as well as the various members of his Cabinet. Lincoln was enthusiastic in helping Carpenter, even letting him use the state dining room as his studio.

The incidents given were not in any sense isolated exceptions to the daily routine of Mr. Lincoln's life. The aim of the author was to portray the man as he was revealed to him, without any attempt at idealization. Carpenter has woven into the book personal reminiscences from various individuals, published and unpublished, which bear intrinsic evidence of the genuineness of the great man, Abraham Lincoln.

Written in a spirit of enthusiasm and affection, Six Months at the White House is a simple, matter-of-fact record of daily experience and observation, fragmentary but true, in all essential particulars of life in the White House as observed by Carpenter from February to August, 1864.

Genres: History, Civil War, Presidents

360 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

1830-1900

Reviews

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful account of the author's time at the White House after he'd been commissioned to paint 'The Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation'.

See my full review here:
https://allthebookblognamesaretaken.b...

I received a free ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting to read first-hand accounts, and this book is no exception. Carpenter was the artist who painted the famous Emancipation Proclamation painting that now hangs in the US Capitol building. He spent 6 months at the White House in 1864 while he worked on the painting. His recollections are varied and disorganized, but interesting. Since he wrote the book after Lincoln's assassination, some of the book reads like a lengthy eulogy. The tone of the book is one of someone who sincerely wants to paint the most complete portrait of this extraordinary leader, but doesn't have the words necessary to complete the daunting task. Carpenter uses his own experiences, and finding them inadequate, uses anecdotes, writings, and recollections of others to fill the pages of his book. His own experiences are perhaps mundane, as day-to-day experiences often are, but they give a true picture of the man in his lifetime. The extra material was perhaps unnecessary, but Carpenter can be forgiven for that because he uses it to complete the picture of the man he feels compelled to write, but seems to feel lost in the task of doing so.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Francis Bicknell Carpenter, a New York artist, believed that the Emancipation Proclamation was "an act unparalleled for moral grandeur in the history of mankind." Carpenter had a deep respect for Lincoln's action, and he had an impulse to capture it on canvas, to exalt the moment of the first reading of the proclamation. About a year after President Lincoln made his famous proclamation, Carpenter acted on this impulse. He asked Owen Lovejoy, an Illinois Representative, to arrange for him to paint the subject at the White House--in fact, eventually, to set up a studio in the State Dining Room. On February 6, 1864, Carpenter met Lincoln, and the project began. His extraordinary extended residence in the White House resulted in the painting and in this informative, sometimes moving, 1866 memoir, Six Months at the White House with Abraham Lincoln. The painting hangs today in the U.S. Capitol over the west staircase in the Senate wing.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent book written by the artist commissioned to paint the presentation of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abe Lincoln to his cabinet. The book was strung together from a bunch of articles the artist wrote for a newspaper most likely to earn a quick dollar. Supposedly, Lincoln and especially his wife didn't like the guy although they gave him permission to use the State Dining Room in the White House as his drawing room. There are some interesting Lincoln anecdotes and overall it's an entertaining read though I would not count on it for historical accuracy. The painting, however, if you're into history can be found hanging in the capitol and it's a pretty interesting piece.

[Sally Monaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for history lovers. The author is the artist who painted The Emancipation Proclamation, which now hangs in the U.S. Capitol. It contains his observations of Lincoln during the six months the painter spent in the White House painting, as well as some observations by others which were then conveyed to the author. It is an excellent read and you really get a feel for the real Lincoln, a brilliant, humble and compassionate man. The only downside is that because the book was written in 1865, it often refers to events that readers back then would understand, without providing context for readers 150 years later. So, on occasion, it is not clear exactly what is going on. Still, highly recommended for anyone interested in this period of history.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great insight into the everyday events and life style of the president. I thought it was great!

[Chandru'sGR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice read..i enjoyed reading it