In this satirical novel, a former nobleman and a con artist form an unlikely partnership in pursuit of hidden treasure. After the Russian Revolution, fortunes are overturned, and the nobleman learns that his family jewels were sewn into one of the twelve chairs from a dining room set. As the chairs have been scattered by the new Soviet regime, the duo embarks on a wild chase across the USSR, encountering a colorful cast of characters and navigating the absurdities of the communist system. Their quest for wealth is a humorous reflection on human greed and the ironies of fate in a society undergoing radical change.

The book follows the 1988 season of the Permian High School Panthers, a football team in Odessa, Texas. It explores the town's obsession with high school football, the players' experiences and struggles, and the socio-economic, racial, and educational issues that intersect with the sport. The author delves into the pressures and expectations placed on these young athletes by their community and the impact it has on their lives.