The Better Angels: The Springfield Years of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln and Their Sons from 1850 to 1860 based on the recollections of Mariah Vance, their housekeeper and laundress during those years as Lincoln rose from country lawyer to President.Mrs. Vance's recollections were published in an earlier book, Lincoln's Unknown Private lives,but some historians did not believe all of them. This new book deletes those controversial sections and focuses on the positive side of the Lincoln's and their sons' early years in Springfield. They were loved and loving, but often very mischievous. It is a delightful family history, circa 1800s.