In Spite of Color: From Plantations to the White House

The son of an English peasant, Levi Roundtree has risen from poverty to create Cypress Villa, a beautiful plantation outside of Charleston, S.C., in the days before the Civil War. He is a compassionate master and enjoys a firm friendship with one of his slaves, Marcus Stanley. It's a relationship that carries over to the next generation, as Marcus's son and Levi's son become best friends.

During the Civil War, the Yankees try to burn down the plantation with Levi inside. Risking his own life, Marcus saves Levi; as a result, Levi makes him a free man. This sets the stage for Marcus to strike out on his own, and he becomes prosperous and successful. But the two never forget their friendship.

Filled with vivid detail, "In Spite of Color" shows how friendship can transcend race, color and time.

Born in Fitzgerald, Georgia, Geraldine Phillips-Davis is a retired educator who also served as a columnist and feature story writer for the Miami Times. She earned a BA from Spelman College and a master's degree from Barry University. She currently lives in Georgia.