Utilizing her extensive knowledge and love of American history and the research skills she honed while acquiring a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, Lynne Cheney set out to explore her and her husband's family trees.

After years of research, she uncovered two family histories that spanned almost three centuries and shared common themes of optimism, perseverance and undaunted courage.

Both families moved westwards in a growing nation, seeking lives of greater opportunity.

Mrs. Cheney provides information about her family, which originally settled in Pennsylvania, and the Vice President's family. He is descended from Puritans who originally settled in New England.

She relates true stories about noteworthy and colorful members of both families and each family's progress westward. As the narrative draws closer to to the present day, Mrs. Cheney movingly recounts of her life as a small-town girl outside of Casper, Wyoming.

The poignant realism with which she depicts mid-twentieth-century America will remind listeners of Thornton Wilder's classic American drama Our Town.

Providing a fresh view of America via generations of two adventurous families, as well as information about conducting genealogical research, Mrs. Cheney entertains and enlightens, and is sure to inspire listeners to explore their own family histories.