This book has a very wide scope and attempts to address the many possibilities for how and when a daughter may have lost her father. There is a chapter on incest, one on paternal suicide, one on divorce/abandonment, etc. But the book's focus, is definitely on daughters whose father passed away when she was a child--and it makes sense that this is the focus, because that was the author's (Elyce Wakerman) situation. I, however, was most interested in the stories on divorce/abandonment, but those were few. The chapter on divorce is very good, and the stories included about divorce were helpful because as a child of divorce myself, I was able to resonate with the feelings of other women and to come to grips with the loss that I experienced. But this book was, for me, very unsatisfying. I felt like the times they mentioned the effects of divorce on a daughter were great--but they were few. So if you are a daughter of divorce, I would recommend reading a book devoted entirely to that topic, instead of this one. It is so wide in the range of women it addresses that I would recommend women dealing with father loss to find a book that deals more specifically with their individual situation. That said, this book did provide me with some good insights, and excited the desire to delve more fully into issues of father loss.

Just wanted to add to the comments on this book which incidentally I have been looking for for over 10 years! A friend's mum recommended it to me but only knew the title and as I am in the UK and this is published in the States ... well thank goodness for the internet! Anyway as the daughter of a father I never met - my father died before I was born and even before my mum knew she was expecting me - this book has finally given me some insight into why I act/feel the way I do. And it's great to know I'm not alone! You will be able to identify with many of the different views inside even if they do not strictly apply to your particular situation. Most areas are covered - death/divorce/suicide/separation. It also looks at later scenarios such as step-parents and your own marriage/children. My only criticisms would be that the conclusions drawn can be a bit repetitive. And it would have been good to have some constructive advice about what to do next! Not that of course a book can provide all the answers... The overall approach of the book is very sympathetic and it has a logical flow and is an easily accessible read.
I have a really difficult time in my relationships with men, although I'm still trying! and this book has been invaluable in making me see why I behave the way I do and at least realising that I'm not the only one.
Onwards and upwards eh?

In the 80's this was the first book i had come across that dealt with all aspects of father loss as well as with all different kinds of losses. The subject was dealt with on a personal level (true stories from those who had lost a father) and on an academic level. For the first time in my life, I realized i wasn't nuts. I still deal with my father's suicide but have done much to heal my past, including running a suicide group for the families left behind. Very informational book.