i get lots of books submitted for review, most get passed on. this one stood out. based on a little known event in the life of henry david thoreau. thoreau actually set fire to the woods outside of concord, an accident yes, but it had a major impact on his life and the town. this is the story of several lives all converging around the fire. these stories are woven out of the mind of author john pipkin. the characters are unforgettable. the structure of the novel is brilliant. this is a book to read, give to friends and loved ones, and to keep on your shelf, with a big space next to it waiting for his next works.