The story of eleven girls from Ames, Iowa, the ten women they became, and the mysterious death of their eleventh member demonstrates how female friendships can shape every aspect of women's lives.

Bill Bryson was born in the middle of the American century--1951--in the middle of the United States--Des Moines, Iowa--in the middle of the largest generation in American history--the baby boomers. As one of the funniest writers alive, he is perfectly positioned to mine his all-American childhood for memoir gold. Like millions of his generational peers, Bill Bryson grew up with a rich fantasy life as a superhero. In his case, he ran around his house...

Recounts the author's transformation from an idealistic, freedom-loving youth to a jaded and financially struggling father of four and how a catastrophic flood helped him to reconnect with the faith and courage of his childhood.

"For Kate Klaver, an emotionally detached housewife from Sunton, Iowa, the pressure to keep secrets of an imprisoned marriage became difficult. For her husband, D., burying those secrets before they surfaced became his ultimate goal. Therefore, he set out to destroy his wife's credibility--declaring Kate mentally unstable. Rumors swarmed among families and friends that intervention followed by committal was Kate's fate. Then, an unprovoked beating...