The Awakening: The Seawright-Ellison Family Saga, Vol.1, A Narrative History, is the first volume in a narrative history about the descendants of two families that share a common ancestor, Martha Kitchings Seawright Ellison, born into slavery, in 1849, in Aiken County, South Carolina. The book documents the beginnings of the family saga through Martha’s life during slavery, The Civil War, The Reconstruction Era, and family life. The book documents the saga with contextualized resurrected stories of relatives who were forgotten over the years who were contributory figures of African American history in South Carolina and beyond. The book includes the story of Floster L. Ellison, Jr., who was inspired by the collective activism during the Civil Rights Movement, co-founded the Palmetto State Barber Association and enjoyed a legendary career as Chief of Social Services at Crafts-Farrow State Hospital. The book also includes the story of Tommy Ellison who pursued a legendary career in African American gospel music, affectionately known by many of his fans as Mr. Superstar of Gospel.

The book includes an appendix section which consists of individual pictures, documented history of places and events, and primary sources.

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