He joined the Army in 1917 and served under Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Philippines in the 1930s and in North Africa and Europe during World War II.

Nevins retired from the Army in 1946 but continued to have frequent contacts with Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In 1950 Dwight D. and Mamie Eisenhower bought a 189-acre (0.76 km2) farm adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield, intending to use it as a place to live when they retired.

[2] Eisenhower was preparing to leave for Europe where he had been appointed Supreme Commander of NATO forces, so he hired Nevins to manage the farm for him.

The book was eventually published in 1977 by Carlton Press of New York City under the title "Gettysburg’s Five-Star Farmer."