This book is the story of the abuse suffered by Hedda Nussbaum. She was so beaten and brainwashed by her domestic partner, Joel Steinberg, that she was unable to save the life of her adopted daughter, Lisa after he had knocked her unconscius. However, after spending a year and a half in psychiatric hospitals and testifying at Steinberg's trial (after which he was sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison), she went on to become an advocate for battered women and a speaker about domestic violence. She went from a beaten down woman who was scarcely functioning to a strong and powerful speaker and writer with the aim of helping other battered women and their children. The book is a must read for all women who have suffered abuse.