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Doris: The Struggles of a Former Slave
From the author of A Slave’s Story comes the continuing saga of Darkness Knox. After she obtained her freedom, Darkness rids herself of her slave name, choosing the name, Doris. Luke and Doris maintain a hemp farm near Davenport, Iowa, and she is embraced by the local white community as one of theirs. Doris lives in constant fear of her past, and because of her surprise pregnancy, has decided to bring her elderly mother and brother to live with her on the farm. With the support of Luke and her native American friend, Mary, she comes to terms with her strengths and weaknesses. Keeping her mother and brother a secret from the community creates a great deal of stress in their lives, but a more serious concern has what color will the baby be?
The Struggles of a Former Slave, continues where A Slave’s Story ended, examining the problems faced by mulatto slaves. Freedom from slavery did not mean freedom from problems. Suffering with homelessness, low wages, and a lack of equal resources, former slaves were no longer welcome in white America. The struggle to belong and succeed in the United States was a difficult path and continues to this day.
Jeff Nebeker-Johnson is a full-time physician in Salt Lake City, Utah. He specializes in lower extremity disorders and diabetic wound care. A former medical researcher, he now spends his free time researching slave narratives and performing genealogy for Missouri slaves and their descendants. At the time of this writing, he has completed genealogy for over 10,000 former and enslaved African Americans. He maintains an Instagram account called @slave_stories.
The Struggles of a Former Slave, continues where A Slave’s Story ended, examining the problems faced by mulatto slaves. Freedom from slavery did not mean freedom from problems. Suffering with homelessness, low wages, and a lack of equal resources, former slaves were no longer welcome in white America. The struggle to belong and succeed in the United States was a difficult path and continues to this day.
Jeff Nebeker-Johnson is a full-time physician in Salt Lake City, Utah. He specializes in lower extremity disorders and diabetic wound care. A former medical researcher, he now spends his free time researching slave narratives and performing genealogy for Missouri slaves and their descendants. At the time of this writing, he has completed genealogy for over 10,000 former and enslaved African Americans. He maintains an Instagram account called @slave_stories.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2022
136 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 2, 2023
Lovely Read, just plain lovely.
Doris is a feisty woman in love with Luke who once owned her along with his sister. They bought her to help around the house, but she was treated as part of the family. Even going as far as to teach her to read and write, and most of all be a lady. The challenges they faced, if you can believe it, were actually sad and humorous at one point or another. But what I can tell you is that Luke truly loved Doris and she truly loved him. That love produced a family and challenges that they indeed did overcome.
Doris is a feisty woman in love with Luke who once owned her along with his sister. They bought her to help around the house, but she was treated as part of the family. Even going as far as to teach her to read and write, and most of all be a lady. The challenges they faced, if you can believe it, were actually sad and humorous at one point or another. But what I can tell you is that Luke truly loved Doris and she truly loved him. That love produced a family and challenges that they indeed did overcome.
March 22, 2023
Times are changing
I enjoyed this story from the first book. Doris is a strong lady and Luke is perfect for her. She has been strong spirited from a child. The lady she has become is fantastic.
I enjoyed this story from the first book. Doris is a strong lady and Luke is perfect for her. She has been strong spirited from a child. The lady she has become is fantastic.
March 24, 2023
OMG
I love love love how this storyline continues to evolve. Slavery was dark, ugly and cruel but some found love in that darkness. History is so very twisted you have to unravel it’s mystery one book at a time.
I love love love how this storyline continues to evolve. Slavery was dark, ugly and cruel but some found love in that darkness. History is so very twisted you have to unravel it’s mystery one book at a time.
June 9, 2023
short good read
good characters, likeable main characters
issues of slavery and race bigotry addressed head, with credibility . Well researched…. Sorry to have it end so soon. Guess I have to follow the family, find the sequel
good characters, likeable main characters
issues of slavery and race bigotry addressed head, with credibility . Well researched…. Sorry to have it end so soon. Guess I have to follow the family, find the sequel
February 18, 2023
Summary
This was a story of determination, learning about self and healing. We sometimes need eye opening situations to get where we need to be in life . Great book .
This was a story of determination, learning about self and healing. We sometimes need eye opening situations to get where we need to be in life . Great book .
October 24, 2024
slavery
This story is beautiful as are the people in it..just shows that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover and the treatment of black people was so mean..will we ever accept them. ? You won be able to put it down,be sure and read all the series.
This story is beautiful as are the people in it..just shows that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover and the treatment of black people was so mean..will we ever accept them. ? You won be able to put it down,be sure and read all the series.
Read
January 29, 2025Great read
Doris is a strong character that you will fall in love with. Slavery is a ugly part of our history and the pain and cruelty is in these pages along with love and hope. I highly recommend this book and series 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Doris is a strong character that you will fall in love with. Slavery is a ugly part of our history and the pain and cruelty is in these pages along with love and hope. I highly recommend this book and series 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
March 12, 2025
Nice story, but it was predictable.
It was a story of racial struggle. Interesting and sowing what prejudice does to good people. A lesson to all races about the feelings that existed during reconstruction.
It was a story of racial struggle. Interesting and sowing what prejudice does to good people. A lesson to all races about the feelings that existed during reconstruction.
March 16, 2025
Family is everything.
Despite the mixed race of current and extended family the characters in this book stuck together no matter the dire circumstances. Loved the book and the series. Recommend it be ready!
Despite the mixed race of current and extended family the characters in this book stuck together no matter the dire circumstances. Loved the book and the series. Recommend it be ready!
May 13, 2025
Unstoppable!
I can't wait for Book 3 to continue this saga!! This is truly a history lesson. From slaves to blacks in this country, the disrespect was real, and blacks are still treated the same today, disrespected!!
I can't wait for Book 3 to continue this saga!! This is truly a history lesson. From slaves to blacks in this country, the disrespect was real, and blacks are still treated the same today, disrespected!!
July 29, 2025
The story continues pleasantly
The story has drama, 🎭 nitrified, anguish. Though not as good as the first, it was a compelling read. Once family came things got real interesting. On to book 3
The story has drama, 🎭 nitrified, anguish. Though not as good as the first, it was a compelling read. Once family came things got real interesting. On to book 3
November 28, 2023
2nd Chances
This book was so eloquently written. The end of it gave me chills of joy. It shows what not giving up is all about, how one can be broken but not defeated.
This book was so eloquently written. The end of it gave me chills of joy. It shows what not giving up is all about, how one can be broken but not defeated.
December 25, 2023
DORIS
Awesome story thank you Can’t wait to to read part 2 I enjoyed the story and how strong the women are in the story 🥰
Awesome story thank you Can’t wait to to read part 2 I enjoyed the story and how strong the women are in the story 🥰
January 23, 2025
Great book
Finished in short time. It was hard to stop reading! Want to read sequel. Easy to imagine time and happenings.
Finished in short time. It was hard to stop reading! Want to read sequel. Easy to imagine time and happenings.
January 28, 2025
Doris
This is a wonderful book about slavery. I would recommend it to anyone who likes stories after the civil war.
This is a wonderful book about slavery. I would recommend it to anyone who likes stories after the civil war.
Read
August 22, 2025Great series - truly enjoyed all 8 books.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews