Following Kim aboard the Kilinski as it journeys from south to north, readers are transported back to Vietnam during the war years, witnessing the hardships of daily life, the bittersweet humor, and the romantic wartime love stories of the people. Readers will also gain insight into how Vietnamese soldiers fought against their adversaries in battles where the odds were often stacked against them.

The author also sheds light on the harsh realities and internal struggles among Vietnam's leadership as they sought to lift the country out of economic isolation, break free from the stagnation of a centralized economy, and transition toward a market economy.

With an objective and independent perspective, Kim Luc Le vividly brings to life an array of historical events, offering readers a wealth of fascinating details and invaluable insights into that turbulent era.