The book deals with the evolution of the petroleum industry in Assam. The story revolves around a young engineer Williams McLloyds, who arrives at Digboi in 1925. Williams is witness to the changing times and also of Digboi, as his professional career ascends to a great height. But it's not the lone story of Williams either. H.B Buchanan's love for local history and culture as well as its complexities, Towlar's audacity, Bhup Singh's technical acumen, Fullerton's farsightedness, Lady Flemming's compassion and many more also play an equally important role in that journey. Some of the incidents in this novel are based on real-life incidents.