"The history of my people is written in blood." So begins this rich and personal epic historical novel, a drama of three generations of the Koljenovic family and their influence on the history of Montenegro, the Balkans, the rise and fall of Yugoslavia, and the world. Like the blood red ruby in the great gearworks of nations, Montenegro has borne the weight and has been the center of the movements of the mighty. In this hard and most beautiful land, a fine and proud people have grown. This is their story.