The book is about Lillian Smiths life growing up in the American South. In the memoir she speaks about major events that have influenced her ideals. She focuses in on civil rights and the mind set of the south. She tightens her grip on a southerners psychological fight. This fight was between their conscious and southern ideals, and why most sided with ideals. The memoir, although redundant, makes some valid points. Certain parts were added into the memoir after its first publication, most referencing towards WWII and Germany. I did not find this book well written. It was hard to get through and it could not keep my attention at all. She probably could have cut the book down if she needed to. However, if you are interested in learning about southern civil rights history from a white progressive southerners point of view, I would surely consider this novel. ( )