Stolin grew up at the heart of the Polesia region on the river Haryn, at the crossroads of two important routes, one leading northwards to Pinsk, two others eastwards to Davyd-Haradok and Turaŭ, that are now in Belarus, southwards to Sarny and Kiev, that are now in Ukraine.
The novel was adapted as a TV film which aired on the Disney Channel starring Carl Lumbly as John, Beau Bridges as the slaveholder, and introducing Allison Jones as Sarny.
The Border Defence Corps Regiment "Sarny", which operated the Area, was very well trained, and its soldiers, including Władysław Raginis, distinguished themselves during the Battle of Wizna (see Polish September Campaign), and in other battlefields in the area of Osowiec and Upper Silesia, where up to 80% of KOP died or were wounded.