A memoir by the bestselling author of The Prince of Tides about his father--the inspiration for The Great Santini--and a reaffirmation that love can conquer even the meanest of men. While the publication of The Great Santini brought Conroy much acclaim, the rift it caused with his father brought even more attention. Their long-simmering conflict burst into the open, fracturing an already battered family. But in the final days of Don Conroy's life, the Santini who had freely doled out physical abuse to his wife and children refocused his ire on those who had turned on Pat over the years. A poignant lesson on how the ties of blood can both strangle and offer succor.

Prologue -- The promise -- Fun and games at The Citadel -- Daufuskie Island -- The writing of The Great Santini -- Publication of The Great Santini -- On the set of The Great Santini -- Two premieres -- Stanny -- Piedmont -- Peg Conroy Egan -- Trip to Rome, Georgia -- Gnome -- Tom's breakdown -- The end to it all -- Tom's leap, Carol Ann's ball of tears -- Losing Carol Ann -- Escape from San Francisco -- Don and the Chicago Irish -- The Arcs -- Hurrah for the next man to die -- The God of last things -- Epilogue: Pat Conroy's eulogy for The Great Santini.