Tom Cutter is in love with airplanes and has been from his boyhood. He faces a choice: he can remain in England as an employee in another man's aviation business, or he can set out on his own.

With little more than personal grit and an antique aircraft, Cutter organizes an independent flying service on the Persian Gulf. Opportunities abound, but so do dangers.

In Cutter's journey from provincial conservative to worldly entrepreneur, he is willing to accept pain and danger in his search for personal growth. He becomes fascinated by the spiritual beliefs of the local Muslim population, leading him to start his own religion called "The Way." Through his travels and teachings, Tom attracts a group of devoted followers and becomes a spiritual leader.

However, his unconventional beliefs and practices lead to conflict with some of the more traditional religious and political authorities in the region. Despite the challenges he faces, Tom remains committed to his beliefs and the pursuit of a more peaceful and harmonious world.

The novel explores themes of religion, spirituality, cultural differences, and the clash between tradition and modernity.