Unlikely Heroes takes place in South Carolina and Florida during the chaotic mid-1800s. The protagonist is an enslaved man who fears for the safety of his family while living under the ownership of a cruel master. As a child, he had promised his mother he would seek freedom and he was determined to keep that promise.
Meanwhile, his enslaver is tormented by frequent nightmares of a contemptuous black woman and a horrific character. There is something familiar about them, but he can't figure out who they are.
When our protagonist encounters a free black man who is part of the Underground Railroad, he believes his opportunity for freedom has come. Especially now that his enslaver has made plans to move to Florida and will be too preoccupied with organizing his travels to chase after runaway slaves.
Unfortunately, the enslaver changes the date to leave for Florida which ruins the protagonist planned date to meet the "Runaway Man." He confronts his enslaver about the change which results in his being beaten and left behind. His enslaver takes the protagonist's family with him to Florida. The beaten protagonist is rescued by the "Runaway Man" and he becomes a part of the Underground Railroad.
The story unfolds over the next several years alternating between events of the enslaver and the protagonist's family in Florida with the adventures of the protagonist in South Carolina. Several of the events that take place are based on true stories as told by former enslaved persons.
The protagonist, along with other enslaved men, is forced to help the Confederate army. They are eventually rescued by the Union army and are given the opportunity to become a part of the first black battalion in the Civil War. The events recounted of the battalion are factual based on a book written by the white commander of that battalion.
After the war, the protagonist seeks out his family in Florida. He survives some dangerous encounters and does eventually find his son.
A suspenseful moment comes when the protagonist meets the cruel enslaver who beat him and left with his family. The enslaver has begun to rethink his previous beliefs regarding the inferiority of the enslaved due to the courage and kindnesses shown him and his family by several black persons.
In the end, our protagonist ends his search for home in America by settling in the North where he finds friendship and a trade.