My mom was raised by her abusive and alcoholic father who was then killed by a drunk driver when my mom was 9 years of age. She went through some major emotional problems for that. I got this for her as a present one year and then borrowed it to read it myself. What a journey Woititz went through! By using personal narrative, she goes through explaining the devastation the selfishness of alcoholism creates. Its really unfortunate how its always the kids that have to suffer, but this book helps you realize what you couldn't see or explain, and then work to grow out of it. Beautifully done, I'm sure this will help millions of grown up children.