Through Mungo's specific experiences the reader can get the general feel for left-wing America in the 1960's and 1970's. He graduated from college during the first Nixon administration and was instrumental in the operation of a syndicate called Liberation News Service. When an organizational split in that group occurred, Mungo's faction lit out for Vermont and participated in a back-to-the-land movement that was one expression of what was then called The Revolution. The book among other things offers probably the best pot bust story in print even at this late date.

The tile comes from a line in Bob Dylan's song "Desolation Row".