[2] In his review,[3] Perry Miller noted the novel's cast of characters essentially repeated themselves through time, and stated that as a result, the novel read like a "supercolossal script" meant for the same actors to play identical roles in different period costumes.

It begins with a retired Supreme Court Justice, Orville Brand Windom, preparing and giving a radio speech, broadcast nationally and overseas, on patriotism and war and U.S. history.

He has made a little legacy of leaving handfuls of earth and dust, taken from Plymouth, Valley Forge, Cemetery Ridge and Argonne, at "Remembrance Rock", a large Washington, D.C. garden boulder by his house.

The young warrior who has to choose between the girl and the cause yet ends up with both is Resolved Wayfare, Robert Winshore, Rodney Wayman, and his grandson Raymond, respectively.

The avuncular storyteller is named Oliber Ball Windrow, Orton Wingate, Ordway Winshore, and Omri Wonwold, respectively, but also Justice Orville Brand Windom.