Although the Japanese invaders were the feared antagonists, they never appear, as "The Mountain Road" diverges from typical World War II action films in dealing with a more sensitive sub-plot, delving into the cultural misunderstanding and racial prejudice between American soldiers and their Chinese allies. White's original story contained a serious message that stemmed from his extended sojourn in China, first as a freelance reporter in 1938 and shortly thereafter as correspondent for "Time" magazine. White found his stories depicting the corruption of the Nationalist government and warning of the growing threat of communism being rewritten by Chinese government officials with the cooperation of editors at his magazine. When he left his post and returned to the United States, in 1946, White and colleague Annalee Jacoby wrote a best-selling nonfiction book, "Thunder Out of China", describing the country in wartime. His follow-up novel, "The Mountain Road", also reflected his interest in a China in turmoil.