Definitely a denser text and would be given as a supplementary choice. This book has a strong focus on Abraham Lincoln as well as his interactions with the Black community.

Abraham Lincoln is considered to be one of the great presidents in American history, known as "the Great Emancipator" and "honest Abe". He is also the most written about person in American history, with thousands of books published about him. Now you can add Jonathan W. White's "A House Built By Slaves: African American Visitors to the White House" to the list.

White's book is the usual Lincoln biography, nor is it another analysis of how he conducted the Civil War, or another about his death and its impact on post-Civil War society. Rather, it takes a different tack by focusing solely on the various African American men and women Lincoln welcomed into the White House. Over the course of seventeen chapters and six interludes, White provides a very detailed account about the visits and meetings Lincoln had with these men and women. They came as invited guests and as uninvited guests, all with the goal of speaking to Lincoln about the plight of African Americans and how the Civil War could be a catalyst for changing their lives for the better. (We know that was not the case, however. A brief moment of power during Reconstruction gave way to decades of discrimination that still occurs today.)

The importance of these meetings and visits is the heart and soul of the book. The interactions Lincoln had with these men and women played a crucial role in the evolution of Lincoln's attitudes towards Blacks. However, be aware of one important aspect White points out early on: when reading, don't judge Lincoln according to present-day standards. Lincoln must be viewed in the context of his times. Only then can it be seen just how radical Lincoln actually was for his time. That is why, following his death and the end of Reconstruction, the White House was never again so open to African American visitors until the mid-20th century.

"A House Built By Slaves" is a more than worthy addition to the vast collection of Lincoln books. It provides the reader with another view of and adds another layer to the great Abraham Lincoln. It is definitely a worthwhile read, for history buffs and lovers of anything Lincoln. I recommend it wholeheartedly.