The book, entitled “If You Can Survive Your Parents, You Have Half a Chance,” is a complex blend of personal experience and the rich heritage of Appalachian culture. Using the context of family conflicts, love, and survival, the author looks back on life in eastern Kentucky, exploring the subjects of loss and the significance of chosen relationships. The book glorifies the richness of the heritage and human connection and provides the reader with a heart-rending message about the strength that can be found in the family bonds, both biological and adopted.