An American Marriage tells the story of why Abraham Lincoln had good reason to regret his marriage to Mary Todd. Most importantly, An American Marriage attempts to deepen readers' appreciation for Lincoln's character.
Abraham Lincoln was apparently one of those men who regarded "connubial bliss" as an untenable fantasy. During the Civil War, he pardoned a Union soldier who had deserted the army to return home to wed his sweetheart. As the president signed a document sparing the soldier's life, Lincoln said: "I want to punish the young man-probably in less than a year he will wish I had withheld the pardon."

Based on thirty years of research, An American Marriage describes and analyzes why Lincoln had good reason to regret his marriage to Mary Todd. This revealing narrative shows that, as First Lady, Mary Lincoln accepted bribes and kickbacks, sold permits and pardons, engaged in extortion, and peddled influence. The reader comes to...