This Is Herman Cain!, by Herman Cain: on Principles & Values

Raised in segregated Atlanta of the 1950s and 1960s

To make ends meet and still have a hope of making a better life for Thurman and me, It wasn't easy to raise a family in the segregated Atlanta of the 1950s and 1960s. Dad wanted a nice house and a nice car and to put away enough savings to provide for Mom in the event of his death. Mom and Dad were able to achieve their dreams because we didn't have government in the way as much as it is in the way today. Mom worked as a maid and Dad worked three jobs: as a barber, as a janitor at the Pillsbury company, and as a chauffeur at the Coca-Cola company. That was a typical experience shared by many Americans.

Married college sweetheart as soon as she graduated college

Then we made the biggest personal decisions of our lives: Gloria Etchison was beautiful. Let's face it; I was first attracted by her looks. And then I figured out she was also smart.

On our first date, we went to the movies. I don't remember which one, but After her graduation a year later, we were married. It was June 23, 1968.

Our daughter, Melanie, was born in 1971 and Vincent followed six years later. I asked Gloria to marry me and she said "yes." I was a senior at Morehouse when we formally got engaged and Gloria was a junior at Morris Brown.

Survived cancer by relying on his wife & their faith

We were getting into our car--the surgeon's office was only 5 minutes from where we live--and [In 2006, my wife] Gloria and I were shocked coming out of the surgeon's office [after being told of liver cancer and colon cancer]. I'll never forget it. That was the first time that I was emotionally shaken. Gloria corrected me.

I drove us home and we prayed and then I said, "We'll figure out what we need to do." Gloria asked me, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said.

"Do you need me to drive?" she asked.

"No, I can drive." Then I said, "This is a true test of my faith."

"Our faith,"