An Odyssey Toward Independence is an engrossing story chronicling the lives of two men post-civil war. It is set during a period when the nation was suffering a bitter divide and hate flashed like a raging fire. After emancipation, Walker "Ned" Morgan, a young black man, eagerly leaves the plantation with a burning desire to abandon the old slavery ways and experience self-sufficiency. He strikes out on his own looking for opportunities independent of his immediate family. On the other side, was Zebadiah Tucker, a troubled veteran that had been recently discharged from the Confederate army. He wandered about the countryside aimlessly, wounded, confused and concealed a deep guarded secret. The two meet unexpectedly one fateful night at an encampment in the Virginia backwoods. After initial fears, between them subsided, they develop a guarded relationship of convenience. The book chronicles post-slavery struggles for whites and blacks. It shows that freedom was not voluntarily given and the oppressed could only be liberated by struggle. Their individual stories were not always pretty and some life events literally broke their hearts, but they survive. It tracks a cautious alliance that slowly cultivates into a solid friendship between the two men. After a few twists it becomes apparent that the fate of these men, seemingly from different worlds, was inescapably intertwined. The men learn that life events can shape your character and people come into our lives at the right time because they are meant to. This is a riveting story of tenacity, family, destiny and love. The storyline shows how love and friendship can be like a bright star in a hopelessly dark sky. It demonstrates when a person stands for an idea or strikes out against injustice; he sends a ripple of hope. Furthermore, hope is drawn to a people who can look beyond present day defeat, beyond the moments of being cast down and beyond the negative voices of their oppressors. The book conveys that love and faith are vital bonds to a strong family structure and just a society. Despite life's impediments, the bond of family and friendship is never really broken and love will always find a way.