How did miners extract coal back in the 19th century? What was it like to travel to America on a steamship? How did women cope back in the "old country" while their husbands were in America? Why did people choose to endure these hardships?

Written by a direct descendant, this book examines the lives of two Italian immigrants who experienced all these things and more. It includes the stories of both husband and wife, from life-changing events to mundane daily tasks, to give a full picture of what life was like for these steadfast immigrants in the late 19th century.