"As the 20th century dawns the Reddy family faces a different set of prospects and challenges. Labor strife, the ruthless Fingy Connors, hazardous work, poverty, alcoholism and other curses of the working class plague the family. Bishop Quigley, The Pan American Exposition, and faith in the American Dream provide glimpses of a better life to come. Growing up in Buffalo in the era of robber barons and anarchists, Jamie Reddy joins the Marines to escape the trap of poverty on Buffalo s waterfront. He sees duty during the Banana Wars in the Caribbean, and goes on to fight at Belleau Wood in the Great War. Upon his return from France, he finds a nation suffering the post-war pangs of disillusioned veterans in the era of prohibition. Rum running, gang wars and the Great Depression work against him and his family. Hoping for a fresh start he takes his family on the veterans bonus march on Washington only to face an uncaring Congress and military. A message from his former Marine commander draws him into the businessmen s plot to stage the fascist coup against President Roosevelt and The New Deal."--back cover.