The book is about the existence of scientific evidence for climate change for decades while it was politically denied, and the eventual damage that will occur as a result.

[1][2][3] It focuses on the years 1979 to 1989 and US-based scientists, activists, and policymakers including James Hansen, Rafe Pomerance, and Jule Gregory Charney.

[6][4] After the article was published, it was announced that the story was in development to be converted into a docuseries that will be distributed on Apple TV+.

[4][8][9] In Bookforum, Roy Scranton wrote that "the book is substantially the same as the article" and pointed out its lack of citations.

[10] The book received a starred review in Booklist, where it was called "a must-read handbook for everyone concerned about our planet’s future.