It is well known fact, that African Americans come from a background with a rich oral tradition. But the downside of this has been that at one time, family history had to rely solely on the spoken word to be handed down to the next generation.

Because reading and writing were forbidden for slaves, these stories generally died out with the oldest living relative. This situation was further exacerbated by the fact that many of the Elders did not want to talk about the past. It was just too "unspeakable," as they called it. The "unspeakable" was generally wrought with pain.

Mama Rose is such a story. It leaps right off the pages. You are there with them!

Shortly following the Civil War, Rose finds herself in the taboo interracial union of a daughter of ex-slaves to a white ex-Union soldier. A story of courage in the face of fear and hatred, death and natural disaster; even government deceit. An uncommon yet tender story detailing how love, endurance, strength and hard work triumph overall.

"Mama Rose"
a novel by
Bernadene High Coleman