These allegations were based on memories recovered through the efforts of the therapists, who were later successfully sued by Gary for malpractice. From the powerfully rendered confrontation between Gary and his wife and daughter, to the dramatic conclusion of the first trial, at which the entire concept of recovered memory was furiously debated, readers witness a dynamic and emotional family drama.

Johnston, objectively explores the nature of recovered memory, its validity, and its quick acceptance within the professional psychological community. The book provides an evenhanded and fair survey of the research and opinions brought to bear by feminists, psychologists, memory scientists, and legal experts.