The novel is an epic historical fiction that spans over 300 years, from the late seventeenth century to the present day. It follows the descendants of two penniless Frenchmen who arrive in New France (North America) to work as woodcutters, or "barkskins". The story explores themes of environmental change, the history of the North American forests, cultural clashes between European settlers and Indigenous peoples, and the long-term consequences of resource exploitation.
The book is an investigative work by South African journalist De Wet Potgieter, in which he claims to present the full story of Al-Qaeda's presence in South Africa. The claims made in the book were previously published in an article by Potgieter in 2013, which caused controversy and was later retracted by the Daily Maverick. The book includes an exploration of the involvement of the so-called "White Widow" (Samantha Lewthwaite) operating on an illegally acquired South African passport, especially in the context of the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi.
The book is considered a pioneering and classic work within the global house church movement, challenging many Christians' mindsets about the nature and practice of church life. It is known for being provocative and demanding action from its readers, often described as a "life-changing" read that inspires a "Christian lifestyle revolution".
The book aims to promote unity among believers by examining major theological controversies from a biblical perspective, using simple, layman's terms.Miller urges readers to read the book from chapter one onwards to understand the consistent "study pattern" used throughout, rather than skipping to the chapter that interests them most.The author states his belief that while this work may not solve all problems of division, it is an effort inspired by a "heart of grief" for the divisions among believers.
