Events › Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Presents: Author Douglas Young in Conversation with CML Archivist John O'Connor

Celebrate Cornelius Library's 25th anniversary, Charlotte history, Black History Month, and local writing! 

Join Cornelius-based author Douglas Young as he reads from and presents from his novel, Unbound Gifts. Doug will be joined by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's John O'Connor, archivist and manager of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, who will moderate a discussion of Doug's work.

There will be a door raffle for several autographed copies of Unbound Gifts, which can also be found at Main Street Books in Davidson, NC, Park Road Books in Charlotte, NC, and online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Itasca Books.

About the Book...

Born into slavery in 1836 on a plantation outside Charlotte, North Carolina, Henry has a remarkable gift. Though his mother warned him to keep it a secret, one day he inadvertently reveals his talent. His owner, Dr. Robert Parker, wants to study the boy and takes him to town to live at his home. Only six years old, Henry must learn to live without his mother and the only world he has ever known.

As the nation moves inexorably toward war, Dr. Parker’s son enlists to fight for the Confederacy and Henry, now a young man, is forced to accompany him. Drawn ever deeper into the bloody conflict, Henry must use all his strength and skills to find a way to survive. In the end, the decisions he makes will determine the course of the rest of his life, and the lives of those he loves.

About the Author…

Doug Young is the author of "Unbound Gifts," a captivating work of historical fiction focused on slavery, 19th-century medical care, and the Civil War. Trained as a scientist, Doug put all his research experience to use in the preparation of this book. This is his debut novel.

Doug holds a BA in Biology from St. Olaf College and a Ph.D. in Cellular Biology from Washington University in St. Louis. He has earned numerous awards, spoken at many industry conferences, and authored over 35 scientific publications. He is also the co-founder of Visight Associates, where he specializes in healthcare and leadership.

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