The book was apparently written after the troubled year of 1968, which saw the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and of Robert F. Kennedy a few weeks later, as well as political turmoil and anti-Vietnam demonstrations in the United States. Mac, the director of Helm's secret government agency, learns that a dangerous enemy operative, Hans Holz, also known as the Woodman, has been contracted, presumably by the Soviets, to kill whichever candidate is elected in the upcoming elections in November 1968.
The book was written during a period of significant political and social unrest in the United States, including the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy's death, and widespread anti-Vietnam War protests. Mac, head of Helm's secret agency, learns that Hans Holz, known as the Woodman, has been hired by the Soviets to kill the elected candidate in the November 1968 elections.