Spanning 150 years from the early years of the Republic in the late 1700s, to the mid-twentieth century, the history of the Colman family in Otsego County, New York, is not unique. Their story parallels many other families who formed the backbone of new communities there. The author weaves together a broad range of personal and governmental documents to tell their story. Those who have spent time there know how rich with history this "Glimmerglass" region of Cooper's writing truly is.