Silas Lapham Griffith was an important Vermont figure in the late 1800s, a proverbial Yankee who went from modest beginnings to great wealth. At age 30, he owned the Danby Store in Danby, Vermont. Slight of body, but vital, he built a logging and charcoal-making empire, established company stores and boarding houses and kilns in Danby, Mount Tabor, Dorset, Manchester, Peru, East Arlington and Stratton. His 12 sawmills cut 50 million feet of lumber a year.
To this day, his name and his memory live on as Rothman brings Silas alive, without diminishing the spirit of the traditions he created.

Besides Griffith's tale, the book is also a story of 19th century America, its scandals, politics, business, legal, medical and spiritual values and activities as well as a critical commentary on the accuracy of historical sources.