The novel by debut writer McCrea is the story of Lizzie Burns, who was romantically involved with "The Communist Manifesto" co-writer Frederick Engels. The book shows Lizzie's unique view of historical events. Burns is illiterate, so you would think the relationship is "the mismatch of the century," Nelson says. "Except that it works.... [T]he student teaches the teacher.... a romance as much as a history book."
