The Race's colonization of Earth is threatened by humanity's desperate nuclear retaliation. As the 1960s dawn, Earth's powers launch a nuclear strike against the alien Race's colonization fleet, a move that transforms the ongoing conflict into an even more brutal struggle for survival. The aliens, accustomed to easier conquests, now face a species far more complex and resistant than anticipated. While the fate of Earth hangs in the balance, with only superior firepower potentially maintaining imperial control or leading to global annihilation, one nation secretly plots a devastating counterattack amidst the planet-wide chaos.

The novel is lauded as an excellent example of alternative history, with Publishers Weekly awarding it a starred review and calling Turtledove a grand master of the genre. Science Fiction Age recognizes it as part of one of the most memorable series of alternative history novels. The reception emphasizes the novel's compelling depiction of a protracted and brutal conflict between humanity and an alien empire. The narrative's strength lies in its detailed exploration of how Earth's technological and strategic responses evolve under extreme pressure.