The novel envisions a separate African American state within the United States. This is a fine example of a utopian novel. Like many of Grigg's novels the plot follows two childhood friends separated by wealth, education and skin tone. The light-skinned militant Bernard Belgrave who has been picked to serve as president advocates a takeover of the Texas state government, while the dark-skinned, college-educated Belton Piedmont argues for assimilation and cooperation. Belton is executed as a traitor, leaving the potentially violent and unstable Bernard in control of the Imperium ay the conclusion of the novel.