This tightly woven novel extrapolates present trends to construct a plot packed with powerful conflicts and human emotions. In doing so, the novel focuses on three formidable characters: the wealthy and influential Esteban Sanchez, his brilliant, captivating son, Carlos, and the woman Carlos loves, Janet Graham, whose goal is to reach high political office. While Esteban and Carlos work separately behind the scenes to implement border-cracking legislation for an ambitious union between the U.S. and Mexico, other forces come into play: