An ambitious and entertaining novel by Jeffrey Archer. The story begins in 1968 Soviet Russia, where young Alexander Karpenko and his mother must flee their homeland after his father is killed for opposing the Communist regime. At a crucial moment, Alexander tosses a coin to decide whether to board a ship bound for Britain or America.

From this single decision, the novel unfolds along two parallel storylines, exploring how fate, chance, ambition, and determination can shape a person's life. Whether in the United States or the United Kingdom, Alexander faces challenges and opportunities that test his character and resilience.