This novel tells the story of Seymour "Swede" Levov, a successful Jewish-American businessman and former high school athlete from Newark, New Jersey. Levov's happy and conventional upper middle class life is ruined by the domestic social and political turmoil of the 1960s during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, which in the novel is seen through the eyes of the narrator, Nathan Zuckerman, a budding writer who idolizes the Levovs. The novel portrays the impact of this turmoil on Levov and his family, particularly his rebellious daughter who becomes involved in revolutionary political activities.

The book provides a gritty, firsthand account of the early stages of the Iraq War through the eyes of a journalist embedded with the elite First Reconnaissance Battalion of the U.S. Marine Corps. It captures the intense and chaotic experiences of the Marines as they navigate the harsh realities of combat, highlighting their bravery, camaraderie, and the psychological toll of warfare. The narrative delves into the complexities of modern military operations, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the challenges faced by soldiers on the front lines, as well as the broader implications of the conflict.