The 13-chapter book describes the 1969-1970 antiwar movement of American people opposed to the Vietnam War waged by the US government. Elmer gives readers his lifetime lessons in nonviolent protest.

Through the book, readers will also gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam's socio-political context up to the start of its renewal process in 1991. 

Elmer says he committed his first felony by refusing to register for the draft at the height of the Vietnam War. That is the reason why he named the book "Felon for Peace."

When published in the US, the memoir attracted a large number of readers across the country, particularly students of social sciences.