The book deals with the origins of Vietnam, especially the Dongsonian civilization with its characteristic bronze drums. The year was 39 CE when the Lac people under the Trung's leadership revolted against the Chinese yoke and threw them out of Vietnam. The Trung Sisters reigned for almost three years when they had to face a new Chinese army sent to subdue them. The Trung Sisters were the first warriors and Queens to define the identity of the unique Vietnamese culture. They instilled and sowed the concepts of freedom and independence, seeds that took a long time to blossom. They showed the Lac that they were strong enough by themselves to fight off foreigners if they worked hard enough together. They told them to never despair, but to keep on charging and fighting centuries after centuries until they had achieved independence.