[1][2] First published in 1940, after World War II had begun in Europe the previous year, the story covers the period from 1913 to 1919, before and after World War I. Thirteen-year-old Lanny Budd, spending the summer of 1913 at a Dalcroze Eurhythmics school near Dresden, vows lifelong friendship and dedication to art with fellow students Kurt Meissner, scion of a German ruling family in Silesia in Prussia; and Rick Pomeroy-Nielson, an English Viscount's son from Oxford.

His father, Robbie, visits regularly from Connecticut while selling arms manufactured by the family-owned Budd Gunmakers.

Lanny, without formal schooling, has grown up with languages, music, and the society of Beauty's wealthy, connected friends.

Robbie teaches Lanny history and diplomacy needed for a Budd to sell arms to European powers.

Basil Zaharoff, a brilliant and dangerous competitor, runs arms giant Vickers and plots to absorb Budd.

Robbie erupts when he learns Beauty's "Red" brother Jesse introduced Lanny to followers of syndicalism.

Seated near the Royal Box at Ascot Racecourse, Lanny asks Rick if the King is aware of poverty.

The friends agree such matters are irrelevant to their pursuit of art, but a message directs Kurt to return home immediately.

Robbie takes Lanny to Connecticut to meet the Puritan Budd family and learn the arms business.

On the ship, Professor Alston, an expert for U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, offers Lanny a job at the Paris Peace Conference.

Poland is carved from German lands as a French client state; the Ottoman Empire is dismembered by Britain and France.