The book is the historical account of an Alsatian family that forged what lives they could in the Republic and the State of Texas. They would fight in the Mexican-American and Civil Wars and endure the trials of Reconstruction Texas. The beginning chapters speak of their immigration to Texas, the building of a homestead, and Peter's efforts to bring fellow Alsatians to the area. Following chapters focus on each child and his or her life offerings: a daughter living with the Indians and a son dying in the Mexican-American War. Three sons would fight for the Confederacy. Two sons would patrol the country as an Indian scout or a Texas Ranger. Another would become a farmer-stockman in a community plagued by the Taylor-Sutton feud. The daughters would support their husbands in their work as a freighter and business owner, a blacksmith, and a farmer-stockman. The final chapter shares the historical legacy of the communities they once lived in.