The Western Maryland, Garret family, struggles to maintain their farm as their neighbors argue the slavery issue. They live in a border state where folks take both sides and emotions run hot. Their stoic matriarch, known only as "Mother" holds the family together in the absence of her dead husband. The deceased patriarch, Valentine, was a giant of a man both in stature and character. He acts as the family conscience and mentor throughout the novel. It is his admonition that people who get snakebit think and act crazy which is how he viewed the state of the country when he died. 

Gabe the eldest and an adventurer, wanders off to Bleeding Kansas. This leaves taciturn Geoffrey, the spitting image of Valentine. as man of the house. Intelligent and beautiful, Becca is being suited by two beaus, twins no less. But she aspires to something better than being just a backwoods wife. Samuel, the youngest is the wildest member of the clan. Impetuous and ornery. he keeps the family occupied - for good or ill. 

As the novel progresses historical characters are also introduced including Abraham Lincoln, future President of the Union and Alexander Stephens, future vice President of the Confederacy. Some characters attend historical milestones like the 1859 Republican Political Convention in Chicago, the Contentious Democratic Convention in Charleston South Carolina and the tense trial of John Brown in Charles Town, Virginia. 

In each instance the question of race tears at the fabric of American society. Ultimately, bitter recriminations lead to secession and war in book two, FIRE-EATERS. Each chapter of each book is a self-contained story. just as each book can stand alone. But through it all the Garretts, their friends and family tell our American story, the story we didn't hear about in school.