The story of America's Mid-Atlantic region is a fascinating role that interweaves the hope of those who crossed the oceans to start new lives with the grief of those who lost sons and brothers on the fields of Antietam and Gettysburg. The Amish of Pennsylvania and Maryland's crab fishermen take their place in these pages alongside those who pioneered the great railroads and canals, built the nation's capital and made their unique contributions to the incomparable metropolis fondly known as the Big Apple.