Book excerpt: As I began to write what originally started out to be a family orientated portrayal (of which much still is), race and the influence of politics and religion became increasingly important factors to acknowledge. They are inextricably bound together in the consciousness of America. Decisions made by elected and unelected officials affect virtually every aspect of our lives - whether we know it or not. Where buildings are built, where roads are constructed, where services are and are not provided, how the administration of justice is meted out, the list goes on. These decisions are ultimately made by the political class. The attitudes of those holding office will affect how these resources are allocated. If there is a price to be paid by those decisions it’s felt by those with the least political and financial clout. The book is broken up into many different segments all of which play a part in either illuminating particular themes mentioned above, sharing family insights, and of high proirity to the writer, rising in the mind of the reader the desire to question the previously unquestioned and if motivated challenge those previously unquestioned assumptions. I hope the reader finds this book as interesting to read as I found it to write.