Not on the Level is about Joe De Falco, a baby boomer, is born to a recently widowed mother after his father is killed in action near the end of World War II. A first-generation Italian-American, he is raised in a traditional Italian home where he comes under the influence of two very different uncles. One, Uncle Tony, is a straight, no-nonsense war hero who believes that institutions such as religion, government, the military, and business are worthy of trust and confidence. The other, Uncle Sal, is a slick, opportunistic, con-artist who believes in crime. As Joe moves through various stages of his life, he carries the conflicting influences of both uncles. Joe, often disillusioned by his own experiences, grows increasingly skeptical of institutions he once felt were trustworthy. Finally, as he confronts the biggest crisis in his life, he draws on lessons learned from his very different uncles.