I loved this book!!! It was basically 3 books in one, set in the late 18th century: (1) the coal mines and mining industry of Scotland; (2) industrial London, focusing mainly on the unloading of coal; and (3) colonial America, and the push to escape to, and populate, the frontier. One learns not only the technology of mining coal in that era, but also the terrible conditions that the miners had to endure to earn a living. Then in London, one learns about the intrigue and conditions involved in the unloading of coal, following the same main character that was followed in Scotland. He gets captured on a trumped-up charge, and is lucky enough to be sent to America as an indentured servant, where he eventually escapes to try the frontier life. He has been romantically yearning for the same girl throughout all 3 sections, and finally links with her in the end