"A fresh approach to traditional genealogy, An American Family tells the story of the Davis family's journey through the history of the United States. From the earliest beginnings of the New England colonies to America's advent as an industrialized world power, Davises have made their mark in some of the most vital areas of our nation's growth. Members of the Davis family have built new institutions and risen to lead them--and they have done it with spirit. Told in a narrative style, this is a genealogy that relates the story of one family's contribution to a growing society over the course of eight generations" -- Publisher's description.