A portrait of an American family during the middle decades of the twentieth century evokes the social, spiritual, and political turmoil of the era as seen through the experiences of a middle-class couple and their children.

Bringing together a collection of observations on modern life, the author shares her thoughts on the nation's political and social issues, family, love, marriage, gay rights, feminism, and other aspects of the world around her.

This new look at Founding Fathers such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton goes beyond their common depictions as American saints to expose the sometimes selfish motives behind their actions.