The Great American Century begins, the modern world roars to life, Capitalists flaunt greed and seize power, Socialists and labor unions flex their violent will, and an extraordinary true story of love and sacrifice unfolds.
The men and women of American R ed are among the most fascinating in American history. When, at the dawn of the 20th century, the Idaho governor is assassinated, blame falls on "Big Bill" Haywood, the all-powerful, one-eyed boss of the Western Fed- eration of Miners in Denver. Close by, his polio-crippled wife, Neva, struggles with her wavering faith, her love for another man, and her sister's affair with her husband.
New technologies accelerate American life, but justice lags behind. Private detectives, bat- tling socialists and unions on behalf of wealthy capitalists, will do whatever it takes to seeHaywood hanged. The scene is set for bloodshed, from Denver to Boise to San Francisco.America's most famous attorney, Clarence Darrow, leads the defense--a philandering U.S. senator leads the prosecution--while the press, gunhands, and spies pour in.
Among them are two idealists, Jack Garrett and Carla Capone--he a spy for the prosecu- tion, she for the defense. Risking all, they discover truths about their employers, about themselves and each other, and what they'll sacrifice for justice and honor--and for love.