This book describes and expands upon the content of a film of the same name, with special reference to the religious conflict between two characters: Sergeant Howie and Lord Summerisle. The Christian viewpoint is treated more favourably than it was in the film. Howie's experiences and background are also enlarged upon and the subject of a sort of cross between the grove of Nemi and the grove dedicated to Odin at Uppsala has been added to the pagan plot.