Jim Nolan, a would-be hero, becomes a truck driver in Vietnam's Central Highlands. Despite the unglamorous role, he finds mobility that leads to exciting, sometimes funny, and often sad situations. Jim's changing attitudes about himself and the world around him affect the American soldiers he interacts with. He struggles internally between good and evil, trying to comprehend the difference.

The story spans from the night before Jim leaves the States to a year of shocking, sad, and hilariously funny adventures. Naive Jim encounters immorality and black market involvement through his fellow soldiers. He witnesses the construction of a black-market empire within the U.S. Army, led by a man with selfish goals that contrast with Jim's struggle in a seemingly goalless war. Amidst the monotonous graves registration, the soldiers have amusing experiences in the field.

This book can be enjoyed as an exciting adventure story while also delivering a poignant statement about a war society has been hesitant to confront. It portrays the hopelessness of a war lacking a clear victory objective, resulting in constant frustration. The author highlights the emotional scars borne by Vietnam veterans. Survival in such an atmosphere required dulling one's senses to human life, traditional values, and moral convictions. Many soldiers had to adopt this coping mechanism, causing drastic changes in their character that would impact their lives forever.

As the book progresses, the numbness to sensitivity reaches a point where killing even the innocent becomes a game.