Morrow states his intention to offer a balanced portrait of a people frequently defined by controversy rather than conviction.
The book traces the origins of the Doukhobor social and spiritual movement in Russia, outlining its theological foundations, communal ideals, and early conflicts with state authority. It follows the emigration to Canada at the close of the nineteenth century and the establishment of settlements in the West, examining patterns of landholding, communal organization, and adaptation to new political and economic realities.
Subsequent chapters address the complex process of integration into Canadian society, including tensions between communal traditions and civic expectations. Particular attention is given to the Sons of Freedom, with an effort to situate their actions within a broader historical and religious context. Morrow also surveys the cultural, agricultural, and civic contributions of Doukhobors in Canada and abroad, concluding with reflections on the community’s condition in 2010 and prospects for its future.
The preliminaries include a half-page endorsement by Koozma Tarasoff.
