Diane Taraz roams through the centuries, tracing her ancestors from French Canada and Poland as they struggled to survive. Many came to America seeking a better life, and their experiences echo those of millions of others who have made the same leap of faith. The details of their everyday lives form a fascinating tapestry of culture, language, religion, social movements, and identity. Taraz discovers not just records and facts but the intimate parts of life that are the most interesting: what people ate, what they wore, how they organized their households, their relationships and social status, the songs they sang, how they raised their children, what they believed, and how they treated each other — and why.