Tells an epic story of military strategy, politics, romance, and family conflict set against the backdrop of world events from 1938 through the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Follows naval officer Victor "Pug" Henry as he is sent to Berlin as the U.S. Naval attaché. Shows how "Pug" and his family are drawn into the center of the conflicts that lead to America's involvement in World War II as Germany expands and proceeds to seize several border countries, Italy attempts to establish a Fascist colonial empire under Mussolini, and Japan prepares for a major battle with China.