Jan Snedeker is "The Cadet", the European term for a younger brother. Younger brothers do not inherit, and are expected to make their own way in the world. The early 16OO's are a harsh and unsettled time. Alone, penniless, and with only his prized musket, Jan travels to Amsterdam. An act of incredible bravery gains him a powerful ally, opening his future to new horizons. Jan lives through the shattering events of the time, serving in the Amsterdam as a combination soldier and fireman, and falling in love with a delicate beauty. His further courageous feats as a militiaman launch him and his new family on a dramatic journey across the Atlantic Ocean. His metal is proven time and again as a landed colonist in the struggling colony of New Amsterdam, as he combats Indians, hardships, and inept colony governors to carve out a legacy that lasts to this very day. The chronicle of his bravery, humor, and industry sets the standard for the name that begins with him. Although written in the form of a novel, all of the characters actually existed, and the events depicted are factual.