Sweeping American history from 1941 to the 21st century, this is this story of four men - two white brothers from rural Alabama and two black brothers from small-town Maryland - whose journey culminates in an explosive and devastating encounter between the two families. As the four mature into men, they confront the fierce resistance to the early civil rights movement, and are all ultimately uprooted. America's past century is brought to life through these marginalised characters, who embrace a quiet beauty in their everyday existences.