One Family, One State, One People: Renaissance in Mississippi is a family history and memoir which is a tribute to the lives of a strong African-American family coping with the effects of Jim Crow during the 1940 's, 1950 's, and 1960's. This book reviews the history of the state of Mississippi and its failures during the aftermath of Reconstruction until laws began to change after the Civil Rights era, which was 100 years later. More importantly however, the author highlights the response of the extended Mapp family to the circumstances which they faced in Newton County MS, beginning with the days of enslavement. Cowan shows how family love, a strong faith, hard work and a can-do spirit lifted an entire people from hopelessness and despair. The family motto became " nobody can steal my joy." And although her ancestors faced what appeared to be impossible odds, they built a legacy based upon love and support for each other. It is the author's dream that today's youth will learn their history, value the treasure which their ancestors represent, and continue to pass down that legacy to future generations to come.