Táto rozsiahla sága sleduje cesty dvoch bratov s protikladnými povahami a životnými dráhami. V pozadí búrlivých povojnových desaťročí sa ich osobné boje a ambície prelínajú s meniacou sa tvárou Ameriky. Príbeh skúma témy triedy, rodiny, úspechu a morálky. Je to pútavé rozprávanie o tom, ako sa jednotlivci vyrovnávajú s osobnými démonmi a spoločenskými tlakmi.
Rich Man, Poor Man is the story of two brothers whose contrasting natures reflect the turmoil of post-war America. Rudy is the rich man - a romantic who would let no one stand between him and success. Tom is the poor man - the black sheep of the family on the run from his violent past.
Wesley, haunted by his father's murder, begins a strange and deeply personal quest; Billy becomes involved with a girl who leads him into unexpected dangers; Gretchen finds new challenges and experiences a remarkable twist to her life. Moving between Europe and America, "Beggarman, Thief" is a brilliant novel chronicling the fortunes of one family - the joys, sorrows, successes and failures. This is not only the gripping sequel to Irwin Shaw's bestselling "Rich Man, Poor Man", but also an outstanding novel in its own right.