Two wealthy and political, post-revolutionary American families meet to celebrate a wedding. An industry magnate, the groom’s father is a staunch abolitionist, unyielding in his control of the moral high road. Maintaining that slavery is essential for present society, the other father is Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor. Each family is confronted by their deepest, often unquestioned, philosophies, as they struggle with the essential rights for which they fought as patriots of the new nation. With passion in their convictions, love blooms in the Virginian wilderness.

Slavery, agriculture, commerce, a presidential election, and legal and religious mores create unfolding tension between the families and in the community. Slaves revolt on a neighboring farm creating their own independence in an escape that is gripping and humorous. Evil overseers and constables, murderers, man-hunters, highwaymen, scheming politicians, preachers, and a dozen desperate people wishing to be free, swirl together in a cast of characters that will enlighten and delight.

Accurate down to the bends in the rivers, the smell of wood smoke curls up from the pages. Enter this novel and you step into 1796. These people’s struggles are your own. You will not be able to rest comfortably in the then new-normalcy of America – you will have to take sides!

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Three-Fifths Freedom is the first book in a series.

Look for R. Erich Telsch’s The Crossroads Impasse in bookstores soon.