The bond to our own family shapes us throughout our lives. The more we know about their history, the more freedom we gain for our own lives. In this book, Monica McGoldrick describes the influence of family secrets, open and hidden alliances, sibling rivalry, cultural circumstances, couple relationships, and the crucial significance of deaths and loss experiences within the family. She illustrates her insights from 30 years of family therapy using examples from famous families that she has followed over several generations, explained through the genograms she developed. McGoldrick frequently addresses the reader directly with questions that help reconstruct their own family history, as well as offering direct advice, such as how to reconnect with estranged parents or other relatives.