As a young man Hakan Soderstrom is sent from Gothenburg with his brother Linus, to seek their fortunes in New York. In the chaos of the port, he is separated from Linus and finds himself on a ship bound for California. Determined to find Linus, Hakan sets out on a journey east, moving against the tide of history, experiencing the Gold Rush and its effects, encourtering capitalists and colonialists, explorers and early scientists, and witnessing the formation of America and the betrayal of its dream. A story about loneliness, companionship and wonder.