The Daily Circuit

Book pick: Elizabeth Dowling Taylor's "A Slave in the White House"

9:50 AM, February 28, 2012

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Kerri's Pick of the Week is "A Slave in the White House" by historian Elizabeth Dowling Taylor.

"This is historical research that few historians even knew about," Kerri said. "Through the uncovering of new diaries and the writings of slaves, it reveals African American history that's been missing."

Here's what Publisher's Weekly had to say about the book:

"The complex relationship between a president and his bondman abounds in ironies in this revealing study. Historian Taylor reconstructs the life of Jennings, a slave belonging to President James Madison who became his valet, barber and major-domo, bought his freedom from Madison's widow Dolly, and published admiring reminiscences of the couple."

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