<P> Told from with the often-idealized, but sometimes scarred human community of the Amish, this historical novel is the story of judgment and misplaced responsibility, of attempts of love and forgiveness, and finally of grace despite unspeakable loss.<P> <P> This historical novel, literary and engaging, examines a close-knit community of Amish pioneers over several decades (right up to the eve of the American Civil War). Employing eight different voices, Miller unpeels the cohesions and tensions as settlers move west while others stay behind. Beneath the surface but never quite forgotten is the unsolved murder of an Amish baby (based on a true incident). This is a story of judgment and misplaced responsibility, of attempts at love and forgiveness, and finally of grace despite unspeakable loss. It is told lyrically from within this often-idealized but sometimes scarred human community. An unforgettable story.