"Following the Louisiana Purchase, Thomas Jefferson sends Meriweather Lewis and William Clark to explore the newly acquired territory. To survive, the two captains need an extraordinary hunter who will be able to provide the expedition with fresh game, and a sign-talker to communicate with the native tribes. They choose George Drouillard." -- back cover.

The alternating voices of Paddy Quinn, a young man with journalistic aspirations, and Mexican soldier Augustin Juvero recount the story of John Riley, who deserts the American army to fight for Mexico in the Mexican-American War.

Reluctantly entering the battle when Virginia settlers attack her tribe's homeland, Shawnee Women's Peace Chief Nonhelema works to negotiate an armistice, only to find herself betrayed by her white adversaries.

Author's note: "Like my character, Scotty Montgomery, I grew up in the idyllic prewar Midwest, was a Marine, and later a journalist appalled by the apparent cheapness of life and the world's casual disregard for human suffering. Like my protagonist, I am unable to reconcile my country's two roles: the citadel of humane idealism, and the leading world merchant of death-dealing weapons. I hope by this novel to awaken our benumbed souls to the awful...