The novel is set in the Seventeenth century, portraying Sweden as being occupied by the Germans.

The novel attempted to foment anti-German sentiment in neutral Sweden by drawing a parallel with Germany's occupation of much of Europe during the Second World War, even though Germany never tried to occupy Sweden.

In 1942 the novel was made into a film entitled Ride Tonight!

directed by Gustaf Molander and starring Lars Hanson, Oscar Ljung and Gerd Hagman.

In 1985 the novel was turned into a miniseries Ride This Night.