Rudi MacKenzie must navigate a shattered America to uncover the truth behind a global technological collapse. Rudi, a young leader in a post-apocalyptic world, continues his arduous journey across the remnants of the United States. His objective is to understand the cataclysmic event known as 'The Change,' which rendered all advanced technology inoperable, plunging civilization back into a pre-industrial age. He faces not only the harsh realities of this new world, including mutated creatures and warring factions, but also the internal struggle to unite disparate communities under his leadership.

The novel is the second installment in S. M. Stirling's Emberverse series, following 'Dies the Fire.' It continues the established narrative of a world irrevocably altered by a sudden, unexplained technological failure. Readers familiar with the series will find Rudi MacKenzie's continued exploration of this new America and his efforts to forge a future compelling. The book focuses on the challenges of rebuilding society and the human element in a world stripped of its technological crutches.