Includes bibliographical references (page 281).

In 1884, the Westland family arrives to settle in the harsh country of San Juan County, Utah, and works hard to make a life as the 19th century comes to a close. In 1908, the Schutze family raises their children and milks their cows in Graswang Village, Germany. For both families, although they don't know it, events are moving them and their world toward World War I.