-Antoine Bertrand is first interested in the life and work of his great-grandfather Zéphir, who served as telegrapher, stationmaster and mayor. Then, by reconstructing his paternal family tree, Antoine directs his research towards a line of his family with a rather rare surname: the Stebbins. As his quest takes him to New England and then across the Atlantic, Antoine Bertrand discovers how lucky and courageous his ancestors have been since the 16th century.