This story begins in the County of Cork in Ireland in the 1850s, at the time of potato famine. Life was hard and austere, with many of Ireland's young seeking to emigrate abroad, to escape starvation and to find work in the 'Promised' lands of America and Australia, though many also sought work in England, in Liverpool and London. This book describes the life and times of Michael O'Brien and his family, his wife Mary and his two children, Sam and Beth. It tells of Michael's need to leave his home and travel to London with his family in the hope of finding work in London. The only job he finds is as a 'Hole-Man', working in the open 'Cesspits', in diabolical conditions. The book goes on to follow the lives of Mary and then onto the daughter, Beth and finally to the son, Sam.