1930 found farmers in Montana- like most Americans- struggling to survive the 'Great Depression'. With their first child due soon, Hans and Beth Harper expected life changes, but Hans would soon find the changes much different than he could have imagined. With economic conditions affecting their lives they found neighbors abandoning their farms. Then historically-large swarms of grasshoppers plagued their wheat crop and their dreams began slipping sway. Soon Hans's life was impacted by his baby daughter's needs and the influence of a young Indian woman - known only as Cahokia. He then finds himself involved in a culture he doesn't understand, but one that brings new insights and perspectives along with new challenges. His choices are nothing that he would have anticipated and each decision takes him further into this new world, as he resists the sounds of the 'drummer'.