while the focus is Ed and Ruth, the book traces the convergence of two families in America - one of Swedish Immigrants and the other of settlers from the time of the earliest colonies in America - refer to table of contents in the 23 page preview for a fuller description. While unique in their own way, these folk are an example of the common man of the generations just past. It is a story of some of the people and times that built our wonderful heritage of sacrifice, character and stability - the people that gave the world this nation.