A ten-year-old German immigrant comes of age in the town of La Porte, Indiana, in the early years of the 20th century. In his youth, Carl develops his talents as a blacksmith. His ability to visualize solutions leads him to become part of key development teams at the Rumely Company and, later, at Allis-Chalmers. Regrettably, his expertise at work is weighed against alcoholism and some bad choices. Looming over his weakness for drink is a German spy...