Robinson, one of 12 children of a slave family, grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and this account encompasses his life story from his earliest childhood recollections to his position as minister in the 1890s. Before emancipation, he is referred to as Bill Cowens, a name given to him by his slave master.

The audiobook contains poignant descriptions of the resilience of slaves under the inhumanity of slaveholders.