It tells how animals in New York State rebel against humans, destroying property and taking control of farms.

There is an element of finality toward the end of the story, as Freddy’s foe Mr. Garble (encountered 13 books and 13 years before) is at last jailed.

Freddy and Jinx the cat investigate, discovering that the Grimby house in the woods next to the farm is used for political meetings.

The speaker, inside a mechanical man that amplifies and distorts his voice, encourages the animal assembly to be "free" of humans.

Since Mr. Bean’s laundry was stolen by rabbits, Freddy suspects a plot to organize animals against humans, telling lies that might be eventually believed.

Jinx discovers Simon the rat has returned, and with Mr. Garble is encouraging all animals to revolt and take control of farms from humans.

To strike at the revolution, Freddy gets the cooperation of the captured Garble by convincing him that the Indians will burn him at the stake.

With Simon out of the way, Camphor decides to appeal directly to the animals of the revolution, promising them the right to vote — which will make them the equals of people.

Employing the aid of the dogs, who have generally stay loyal to their human masters, the farms are gradually recovered.

Miss Anguish tries to confuse their captors, but finally in desperation they set a fire to attract attention.

There are 38 black and white, pen and ink drawings by Kurt Wiese, endpapers, and a full color cover, both depicting scenes from the book.

Kirkus (Nov. 12, 1956) "Simon the rat…rouses Freddy to those detective and protective measures which have endeared him to a long line of readers...Freddy's adventuring and politickings, his eventual quashing of the upstart rodents, mock some incidents we can think of in real life and form a pleasant expression of enlightened conservatism."