Sam and Laura's Story

Samuel Moses Cardiff had a plan. He would graduate from the Teachers College in Albany, secure himself a position as a school master and ask his long-time girlfriend to marry him. He had a plan and just one thing stood in his way, the Civil War. Samuel graduated college the summer Fort Sumter was fired upon and he returned home in time to be enlisted into the 42nd New York Infantry Regiment. His life was put on hold.

Sam must balance what he feels he owes to his dead friend Wiggins against what he owes to Laura and their children.

The hawk was created in the image of a hawk. That means he must use violence every day of his life if he wants to eat and live another day. He can never wake up one morning and say to himself, I no longer wish to eat mice and snakes; I want to eat seeds and nuts like the cardinal. No, he cannot do this, and why? Because he was created in the image of a hawk. I don't see, I don't understand. Sam, I know your father taught you this, but you have forgotten.

The complete award-winning Sam & Laura Saga. Follow their story as they struggle on the American plains of the mid-1800s.