The astonishing story of one man and one family who went from hardworking immigrants to wealth and political power. It is a cultural history of America from the mid-19th through the mid-20th centuries, as the central character and his extended family encountered the luminaries of their day who were shaping ideas and history, featuring for example: Ohio Governor and newspaper magnate Jim Cox, Aviator Amelia Earhart, Miss America, presidents Harry S. Truman and, John F. Kennedy, and many more.
The book includes:
- The classic American "rags to riches" saga of a German ancestor who entered the country as a poor tailor only to emerge from the Civil War a wealthy man after inventing a process for mass producing uniforms for the Union Army; and
- The uneducated son of an Irish immigrant who went on to become one of the nation's leading hoteliers; and
- The son of that hotelier ("Lucky Eddie" of the title), who through a combination of luck, charm, intelligence, and leadership ability, became friends with everyone from hotel barmen to Amelia Earhart while serving as the youngest manager of a luxury hotel in the United States before going on to a successful military and political career.
The book illustrates themes such as the importance of telling family stories, generation to generation, and how that enriches lives; racial and religious tolerance; and the importance of service.
Especially compelling are Edward G. Breen's stories from his service in the Mediterranean theater during World War II, and his sister Mary Louise Breen's service in Europe during the same period (it is believed she was a spy for the OSS). Breen collected a treasure trove of photographs at the time of the conflict, many of which appear in the book.
The family saved documentation throughout the entire time period covered by the book which is richly illustrated.