The narrative is situated on either side of the most informative event of Vanauken’s generation’s existence: World War II. The generation that came of age during the Second World War was dubbed in later years the “Greatest Generation” (due to their experience with a world at war). Van and Davy meet and marry before the United States’ involvement in the war, and they embark on their many adventures after the war ends and Van is honorably discharged from the Navy.

During the war, the couple resides at the naval base in Hawaii, and they experience firsthand the attack on Pearl Harbor, remaining stationed there for the rest of the war, leaving only after the war ends (heading almost immediately for Miami, Florida, to start their maritime journey). As part of the Greatest Generation, Van and Davy are able to take advantage of several opportunities that only existed at that time, thanks to some unique circumstances of the period.

The principal beneficial circumstance was the rapid economic prosperity of the United States in the wake of the war. At no other time in the 20th century was it easier to build wealth, get an education, and buy property, especially for veterans of the armed forces who were given scholarships and grants upon their release from service to purchase homes and attend colleges and universities.