The subjects of the essays range widely and represent a mixture of memoir, criticism, and journalism, focusing on the history and politics of California in the late 1960s and early 70s. With the publication of The White Album, Didion had established herself as a prominent writer on Californian culture.
The essays explore various themes, including personal experiences, cultural analysis, and political commentary, focusing on California's history and politics during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Didion's "The White Album" marked her as a prominent voice in Californian culture.