PART I. The four stages of forgiving -- We hurt -- We hate -- We heal ourselves -- We come together -- Some nice things forgiving is not -- PART II. Forgiving people who are hard to forgive -- Forgiving the invisible person -- Forgiving people who do not care -- Forgiving ourselves -- Forgiving monsters -- Forgiving God -- PART III. How people forgive -- Slowly -- With a little understanding -- In confusion -- With anger left over -- A little at a time -- Freely, or not at all -- With a fundamental feeling -- PART IV. Why forgive? -- Forgiving makes life fairer -- Forgiving is a better risk -- Forgiving is stronger -- Forgiving fits faulty people

Explains and guides the reader step by step through the four stages of forgiveness: hurting, hating, healing, and reconciliation ; provides solid help for freeing ourselves from the burden of hurts we don't deserve and for achieving healhier relationships and peace of mind