This book chronicles the formative years of the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) in the United States. Leslie James Pickering, a former ELF spokesperson, presents a comprehensive account of the organization's first five years. Drawing from communiqués, underground newspapers, interviews, and media releases, the book details the actions and ideology of this clandestine group operating in defense of the planet. It offers insight into the radical environmental movement and the operational methods of an underground organization.

The book is presented as the first comprehensive account of the Earth Liberation Front, targeting readers interested in radical environmentalism and clandestine organizations. Its approach, utilizing primary source materials and insider accounts, aims to provide a direct look at the movement's early activities and motivations. The framing suggests a focus on the historical context and operational details of the ELF's defense of the planet.