Waters Plantation

"It is 1875 in Texas, and Albert Waters takes pride in his image-prosperous merchant and plantation owner who freed slaves before the Civil War and gave them land afterward. Then his son Toby, ready to depart for Harvard Medical College, demands answers. Was his mother a slave? Al and the Waters plantation co-operative of freedmen create a thriving community as they educate their children and work their land. They organize against political forces trying to regain control through rape, lynchings, and the rise of the KKK. Al finds new life when Amelia arrives to rekindle their long-ago love. In the rapidly changing world swirling around him, Albert must confront the image he holds of himself if he wants to keep Toby and Amelia, the two people he loves most"-- Provided by publisher It is 1875 in Texas, and Albert Waters takes pride in his imageprosperous merchant and plantation owner who freed his wifes slaves before the Civil War and gave them land after her death. Then his son Toby, ready to depart for Harvard Medical College, demands answers. Was his mother a slave? How does a man account for the truth that on a drunken night, when all he could think about was Amelia, his long-ago lover, he gave in to the touch of a slave girl? Al and the Waters plantation co-operative of former slaves create a community that prospers as they educate their children and work their land. They organize against political forces reexerting control through rape, lynchings, and the rise of the KKK. Al believes he has been given a new life when Amelia arrives in the midst of the turmoil to rekindle the passion of their love. But, in this rapidly changing world swirling around him, Al will have to confront the image he has held of himself if he wants to keep Toby and Amelia, the two people he loves most.