"Miss Latham has a knack for making the people of the past seem very much alive," wrote The New York Times of This Dear-Bought Land by Jean Lee Latham. And indeed, in this new book, the reader follows the life of Cyrus Field with breathless anticipation, as eager as the actual participants for the successful laying of the Atlantic Cable.

Few people believed that young Cyrus would even be able to make his living when he left his home to work in New York City. But Cyrus Field climbed the ladder of success as rapidly as he did everything else. His name was soon legendary in the business world.

The laying of the Atlantic Cable proved Field's most difficult challenge. One hundred years ago, in 1858, the first message traveled through the great cable, uniting the Old World and the New. Cyrus Field's tireless efforts, his faith and determination had been the force behind the great achievement. Victor Mays' stunning pictures add flavor and excitement to this engrossing story.

From the dust jacket