Swallowing Nickels: A Memoir Of A Welfare Child

In this graphic and barebones memoir, prominent civil rights attorney, Edward L. Gilbert, shares his struggles growing up as an African-American child in the Indianapolis welfare system. After his abusive father leaves and his schizophrenic mother abandons him, Edward and his siblings are forced into foster care with nothing but a prayer and a dream of escape.

Soon Edward realizes that the absence of his parents is just one of the many roadblocks he must face. Crime is rampant, The Civil Rights Movement is underway, and survival does not come easy. Beginning in the early 1950s, Swallowing Nickels: A Memoir Of A Welfare Child chronicles Attorney Edward L. Gilbert's life, and the importance of conquering fear and harnessing faith. Part memory journal and part history lesson, Attorney Gilbert inspires and encourages us all to push beyond all limits.