Samuel: Usdi Yona

by Jeff Morgan

When an ambitious young journalist is sent to interview a hundred-year-old ex-slave, he discovers the amazing story of the life of Samuel Timmons.

At first, Jonathan Newcastle isn’t happy with the assignment. He’d rather cover the war brewing in Europe, or the World’s Fair on the horizon, not be sent to the backwoods of rural Appalachia to track down Samuel. Jonathan expects to write a fluffy human-interest profile about a man celebrating his hundredth year, but instead he encounters a sharp centenarian who isn’t afraid to speak his mind. After living through the Civil War and finding his freedom with the Cherokee people, Samuel has developed an inherent interest in others. He sees something special in Jonathan and encourages the journalist to explore the world beyond his comfort zone.

As Jonathan begins to bond with the old man, Samuel opens his eyes to a new way of looking at things. The two argue about slavery, racism, civil rights, war, and other pressing social issues. Samuel’s points about peace and purpose combine his own insight with Cherokee wisdom. As the conversations continue, Jonathan realizes that this old man’s story could be the most important one he’s ever reported.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2017

About the author

Jeff Morgan is a retired pharmacist who traded the peaks of his native East Tennessee mountains for the vibrant energy of Atlanta. A lifelong adventurer, Jeff has hiked trails and summited mountains across the globe, though his deepest connection remains with the rugged landscapes of Appalachia.
Jeff’s passion for storytelling began with poetry during his college years and evolved into a dedicated writing career fueled by his love of history and the outdoors. After thirty years of meticulous genealogical research, he published his first book, Morgan Family History. He followed this with Lost Then Found, a novel inspired by his personal experiences trekking the Appalachian Trail, and Samuel, a compelling work of historical fiction.

Reviews

[Mark Broyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book. Author did a great job of writing a thought provoking, emotional story and at the same time linking in important historical people and events.