This novel is about our nation, during perhaps its most critical time in history. Our nation's leaders were at odds --- northern leaders and southern leaders failed to reconcile their differences over slavery and other issues.

Young Robbie Holcomb, reared in abolitionist traditions, ventures south to further his education. He finds friendships and love as well as minor hatred and biogtry. Evenso, he finds more good than bad in his southern life experience. Subsequently, when civil war comes, Robbie finds himself in the Confederate army.

The story is entertwined between fact and fiction.