Jim’s father is crippled in an accident at work, and his overwrought mother tries to abort her pregnancy: James. Weeks prior to the accident, his 14-year-old aunt is abused by three men, who are shot and killed by the girl’s brother. Jim’s grandmother prays and Jim is born. The family struggles in poverty until World War II. Jim grows up, stubborn and difficult. He becomes a sports nut. His dad reads the Bible but won’t go to church. His brothers return from the war. The first part ends when Jim’s favorite brother is killed in an accident and he is left wondering what really happened to his brother in death.