Introduction, Pages 1 through 28 Summary and Analysis

Introduction: Author Dugard provides the overall details of her ordeal. In June of 1991, she was kidnapped at age eleven by Phillip and Nancy Garrido. She was kept in a backyard and help captive for eighteen years until released at age twenty-nine.

Dugard has decided to write the book for two reasons. One, she wishes to uncover the evil of Phillip Garrido, and to expose what he did. Two, she hopes she will inspire other people and families who have endured trauma. She wishes to encourage other young people to speak out if they feel something is wrong. She wishes to stress that someone who went through what she went through can not only survive, but "be okay even on the inside." Dugard stresses that, whereas before each day was filled with fear and boredom, each day in...