本书描写代号“虎贲”的74军57师在日军六万余人的包围中，同仇敌忾，背水一战，“以一敌八”，苦战十余日，与日寇浴血巷战，得以使援军合围，保卫住了常德。全师八千余人，仅有83人生还。书中上自师长，下至伙夫，全部真人真事，时间地点也同战史完全吻合。作者饱蘸浓墨，以从容而又激荡的心情“写下八年抗战最光荣一页”，许多悲壮却平实的大场面描写使人无法不为之动容。The book describes how the 57th Division of the 74th Arm named “Huben” puts up a desperate fight for over 10 days, with one soldier fighting against 8 enemies when encircled by over 60 000 Japanese solders in a street battle, helping reinforcements to encircle the Japanese and finally saves Changde. Among over 8000 soldiers only 83 survives. The novel is based on a historical event, with real characters (from the division commander to cooks), time and place. The author records the “most glorious chapter in the 8-year resistance against the Japanese” in an impassioned and excited mood. Many descriptions of the solemn, stirring and realistic battle scene get under readers’ skin.