Based on a best-selling book in Mexico written by Luis Gonzales, Barriers of Solitude looks at the effects of major historical events on the village of San Jose de Gracias. He interviews the residents, recording their collective reactions to new rulers, revolution, and civil war. The surprising results are presented in this program, indicating that occurrences that might seem to have far-reaching influences do not have a significant effect on rural populations. When Maximillian was installed as the new emperor of Mexico in 1857, the people of San Jose de Gracias recall that the highlight of the year was a breathtaking display of aurora borealis.