This is based on an actuarial trip taken by the author and their children.  About how even in the midst of hard gut wrenching history, they could find the hope and the joy to come from horrific events.  The book was fast paced, and I do wish they had better touched on the historical locations and people.  The illustrations are watercolor, which makes the book feel a bit dated.  I wished they had used real pictures for the info bits at the back but it was not a necessity.  I did like how this book mentioned places that are not normally taught about in school.