The book provides details on one of the most important technological projects in US history, the construction of the 360-mile Erie Canal across New York State. It also highlights various individuals who were drawn to neighboring communities alongside the canal route and their impact on the religious and political climate of the time.
What I enjoy most about the book is how the author focuses on the lives of the various historical characters while intertwining events related to the actual construction of the canal. A fascinating read for all you history buffs out there (especially upstate New Yorkers).