Long before the term "Affrilachia" became popular, Victoria A. Casey McDonald spent decades gathering the stories of her family and neighbors in North Carolina's Jackson County. Her book, presents a collection of narratives that illuminate the lives of African Americans in the region. These stories include her grandmother's, Amanda Thomas, who was born into bondage. The biographies and histories continue through the twentieth century and feature educators, soldiers, factory workers, ministers, athletes, and other community members. Originally published in 2012, this edition of with an afterword Marie T. Cochran continues to speak for these resilient individuals to generations to come.