In this third book, Giorgio Vandelli, the brewer of Modena, does his best to uphold the House of Duke Francesco V of Austria-Este of Modena in its final years of futile struggle against local revolutionaries, the Piedmontese, and the fledgling state of a unified Italy. He operates as an agent under cover in Modena, parties merrily with the Emperor Franz Josef in Vienna, and goes on a reconnaissance mission in Mexico. Everywhere he is caught up in amorous adventure and misadventure. In 1861 he also creates a well-known Mexican beer.
