The epic life story of Arlen, driven by powerful forces inherited from his ancestors, born, into a loving free thinking family, serves in the trenches of the Western Front in WW1, raises a family during the depression to again serve during WW2 in France. As a POW in Poland survives a "Death March," liberated by the American Army, Arlen migrates to Australia to finish his life. In a dream life which interlaces with his real life he has spiritual guidance and adventures experienced by his ancestors as a Stone Age messenger, as a Crusader and as a soldier at Waterloo. . . .