Joshua Norton is bankrupt and desperate in antebellum San Francisco. The whole nation seems to have gone mad. He discovers that madness is a viable option, and so becomes Joshua Norton I, dei gratia Emperor of the Untied States and Protector of Mexico. Many people of the city happily accept him as such. Yet he discovers that even with the power of monarchy he cannot cure the sadness of the Nation of or himslef. Based on true tales of Old San Francisco -- Publisher's description.