John Jakes continues the fascinating story of the Crown family dynasty in Chicago. Moving from 1906 to 1917, AMERICAN DREAMS brings to life a brash young nation taking its place on an international stage as the children of the German immigrant Crown family prepare themselves for the excitement of a new century. As Fritzi Crown becomes a comedy film star, her younger brother Carl seeks greater thrills in flying planes and their cousin Paul finds his destiny filming the destruction wrought by World War I to show Americans back home. From the early carefree days of a new century to the stark realities of the first world war, AMERICAN DREAMS goes through a decade of change with the men and women who coloured a nation's future. As he has in his previous bestsellers, John Jakes combines deep historical research with a powerful story peopled by characters both vivid and memorable. AMERICAN DREAMS once again brings Jakes' legions of readers the drama and passion that are his hallmarks.