The book is a collection of gritty and raw short stories that delve into the lives of men on the fringes of society. Set against the backdrop of the American landscape, from Alaska to the Southwest, the narratives explore themes of masculinity, survival, and the human condition. The characters, often confronting their own limitations and the harsh realities of their environments, are depicted with a stark realism that exposes their inner struggles and the complex dynamics of their relationships. The stories are woven together with a sense of the natural world, where the metaphor of the salmon's upstream battle resonates with the characters' own uphill struggles.

Set in the 1970s, the novel follows a group of young idealists who form a commune in the wilderness of Alaska with the goal of creating a utopia. The story explores the dynamics within the group, the challenges they face living off the land, and the clash between their ideals and the harsh realities of life in the wilderness. The book also delves into the tension between the commune and the local Alaskan community.