In 18th century France, Jacques, an orphan, must find a way to survive. He makes his way to Versailles, the chateau of King Louis XVI. His adventures there include befriending Benjamin Franklin, a boy named Jean, a ride on a quagga, and adventures with a capuchin monkey fascinated with the world's first hot air balloons. It is a world that glitters with diamonds and gold, but trouble is on the way. Once again, Jacques must find a way to survive.

The adventures of Jacques, Jean, Emilie, and the monkey, Singe continue. Fleeing the French Revolution, they stowed away on a ship bound for Philadelphia, then the capital of the United States. How would they survive? Where would they live? What would they do? Living in the capital when the nation was new, feeling its way as to how best to govern itself, lends insight into the early United States. America's first circus began in Philadelphia and George Washington attended. Singe, the monkey, and the former King's quagga perform. Romance is in the air, too, as Jacques and Jean grow into...