Sometimes the only path to sanity is through madness. San Francisco, 1859. Joshua Norton, desperate to survive, sees madness overtaking America. He has lost his fortune and believes the country is losing its mind. In a flash of insight, he finds the answer to both problems. He will become Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. He will issue proclamations to make things right. Now imagine young Marina. She wants only to sing. Because she allows Joshua into her theater she allows him into her life. Soon she is caught up into the madness of Civil War, a conflict making no sense. In a world turned upside down, the insanity of Emperor Norton becomes her only anchor to Reason. And in defiance of death, there is new life. Enjoy the book and travel to a time past, which haunts us yet today.