Riley Robinson accompanies his Army family to Germany in 1946 and enrolls in Nurnberg American High School on opening day. Facilities and supplies are minimal, but students and teachers tough it out. A danger that lurks in shadows scares Riley. At the same time, much about Germany captivates him, its language, culture and people, especially a beautiful orphan girl. As a teacher, Riley returns to Nurnberg, where he meets Herr Meier. Under Meier's tutelage and through his travels, Riley expands his world-view and comes to a deeper understanding of himself, of democracy, and what it takes to preserve it."