At the heart of the story are two brothers, sons of a prosperous New Jersey businessman whose growing wealth and power are dependent on his ability to avoid choosing sides as the issue of states' rights threatens to divide the nation. James and Kevin Bannon, who have always shielded each other from their father's tyrannical outbursts, see their fierce loyalty abruptly shattered by their rivalry over a woman ... and her shocking, violent death. James is sent to VMI (Virginia Military Institute) to make something of himself, while Kevin attends college in the North. Soon they will find themselves on opposite sides in every great action of the war, with a stunning conclusion at the Battle of Gettysburg.