Set in 1962, fifteen years after an alternative ending to World War II, the novel concerns intrigues between the victorious Axis Powers—primarily, Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany—as they rule over the former United States, as well as daily life under the resulting totalitarian rule.
Berlatar tahun 1962, lima belas tahun setelah akhir alternatif Perang Dunia II, novel tersebut berkisah tentang intrik antara kemenangan Blok Poros—terutama Kekaisaran Jepang dan Jerman Nazi—saat mereka menguasai bekas Amerika, dan kehidupan sehari-hari di bawah pemerintahan totalitarian yang dihasilkan.