This is one of the most extraordinary books I've ever read. I love the way Miles approaches history, demonstrating at every turn how one labors through the material and traditional paper archives for clues. It's a wonderful model for students of history to follow to see how one stitches pieces of a life, a period, a community together. The photographs and additional narratives she weaves in to provide insight into the life of Ruth Middleton and her ancestors is seamless and beautiful. I especially love the postscript that details her process and rationale for approaching history in this manner.