This family history was inspired by a tweet wherein Papaw's granddaughter remarked online that her grandfather invited all his grandchildren for dinner, and only she (and later, her brother) showed up. The world responded, sending sympathy and encouragement to Harmon himself (Papaw) and to their own grandparents. The result was many grandparents feeling the love, but also this magnificent book, describing one family's history and so much more.

The family story begins in the seventeenth century, describing Papaw's ancestors' immigration from Germany to the United States. Most of the family eventually homesteads in Oklahoma. Harmon delves into US expansion events, describing the migration to Oklahoma in 1889: "...the border would be guarded by US soldiers. This would give travelers time to prepare and make the journey to Oklahoma. At noon on the 22nd, access to the territory would be opened allowing travelers the opportunity to claim a piece of the land. This event later became known as the Run to Oklahoma."

The author succinctly and skillfully writes about the evolution of the typical family home. The history of everyday items he provides is also fascinating to read about. For example, Harmon notes that Aspirin, Tootsie Rolls, glass-bottled Coca-Cola, and home telephones made their way into many homes in the early 1900s. Also notable is the vocabulary. For example, a teetotum is an old-fashioned top, while a rabbit catcher is a term for a midwife, a burgoo stew is not to be missed, and roving describes a roll of wool after carding. Reading historical fiction or family histories is a superb way to learn US History, and, thankfully, the lessons are not the least bit dry off the pen of a skilled writer like Harmon as he adds personal faces to the history of the United States.

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