Much of American history is conceived in terms of large scale movements, often involving massive numbers of people. Within these broad groups, however, we know that individuals have had many different experiences. The purpose of Volumes 1 and 2 in this work is to conceive American history much more in terms of these individuals who collectively created it.

The vehicle is a detailed study, conceived in standard genealogical terms, of a Sherwood family line. The Sherwood ancestor, Thomas of Fairfield, arrived in Massachusetts in 1634. This second volume covers the experience of the ninth and tenth generations, living in the 20th century as highly mobile professionals, far removed from the family's rural roots. The study ends with the 10th generation Sherwood, who was still living in 2006.

A dramatic change occurred in the late nineteenth century when five of the eight members of the eighth generation left the farm and became doctors, teachers, a lawyer, and a minister. At this point the huge distinction between work and non-work activity dramatically appeared. The ninth and tenth generations, in the 20th century, as highly educated professionals, found their values changed as they experienced a much broader world.