Nick Traina, son of successful writer Danielle Steel, committed suicide in September of 1997, before he was twenty years old.  Ms. Steel felt compelled to tell Nick's story not only as part of a memorial to him but also to warn people that the illness he suffered from, manic depression, can be deadly.  Although she pursued information about his illness and eventual treatment voraciously, she felt unaware of the very real risk of suicide.
 
Nick had many serious set backs and was hospitalized several times throughout his short life.  It finally seemed he might be closer than ever to long-term stabilization.  He had received a proper diagnosis and was on medication which helped.  However, he made several suicide attempts and eventually took his own life.  Ms. Steel sacrificed some of her family's privacy in an effort to educate others about the risk of suicide.  In so doing, she detailed how something this horrible could happen to any family.

Nick Traina expressed symptoms of bipolar disorder at a very young age.  As he became older, the symptoms of his disorder became more severe.  He required constant supervision and assistance.  Despite his illness he was graduated from high school and sang for a successful band.

Although this book does not delve into information about the illness itself, most readers will find Ms. Steel's plight familiar.  Even with the incredible resources afforded her by success, Ms. Steel suffered many of the same frustrations and difficulties every parent of a bipolar child encounters.   She was faced with accusations of bad parenting at almost every turn.  She had difficulty obtaining either an accurate diagnoses or treatment for her son.  She took her son to many doctors and hospitals, discussed symptoms with his schools and asked  questions of his pediatrician.  She  enlisted the help of many health professionals.  All her efforts were met with, but limited success.  Her son remained undiagnosed and untreated most of his life.  Many of the situations she detailed will ring painfully true to parents who read this book.

In sharing her tremendous loss, Ms. Steel helps to educate readers about the danger of suicide, the difficulty of obtaining treatment, and the struggle of those suffering from this debilitating illness.  Nick's story is touching and sad.  Hopefully, Ms. Steel, in writing this book, has helped someone else avoid her family's tragedy.