[1] The novel mixes fictional characters with historical events or people, to tell the story of the United States of America in the time period leading up to the American Revolution.

Lacking the funds to return to France, Marie and Philippe flee to London, where Phillippe learns the printing trade and makes plans to emigrate to America.

During their transatlantic journey, Marie dies of dysentery and is buried at sea, and Philippe decides to adopt an Anglicized version of his name, renaming himself Philip Kent.

Philip stabs his half-brother in the stomach with a bayonet and flees with Lumden for Daisy's father's farm, near Concord, Massachusetts.

On his return from Philadelphia to Concord, Philip participates in Paul Revere's famous "midnight ride" to warn the patriots that the British army is coming.

The miniseries was directed by Lee H. Katzin, starred Andrew Stevens as Phillippe Charboneau/Philip Kent, and aired on May 22 and 23, 1978 as part of Operation Prime Time.