CHAPTER ONE: THE PIT OF LIFE
Case history. Comment. Major factors in coping (speed of events, emotional support, confidence, resilience, system of beliefs). The solution. Summary.

CHAPTER TWO: THE LADDER
Tom. Observation. Case histories. Comment. The idea of a ladder. Rungs of the ladder (lifeless, anger, denial, disgrace, endeavour, renewal). The stages (order, intensity, time, other problems). Climbing out. Summary.

CHAPTER THREE: LIFELESS
John. Observation. Case histories. Comment. Major factors (inactivity, physical needs, emotional needs). The solution act, satisfy physical needs (food, drink, sleep), satisfy emotional needs (crying, touching) and enjoy yourself. Summary.

CHAPTER FOUR: ANGER
Irene and Rob. Observation. Case histories. Comment. Major factors (helpless, misdirected, repressed, with other negative emotions, appropriate). The solution knowledge of anger and its combinations, preparation for provocation, dealing with confrontation, using blocking techniques (3 D*s), getting rid of anger and avoiding rumination. Summary.

CHAPTER FIVE: DENIAL
The Fifth Duke of Portland. Observation. Case histories. Comment. Major factors (facts, feelings, others, reality). The Solution: knowledge, time and acceptance. Summary.

CHAPTER SIX: DISGRACE
Gordon Bennett. Observation. Case histories. Comment. Major factors (facts, feelings, others, reality,). The solution knowledge, time and acceptance. Summary.

CHAPTER SEVEN : ENDEAVOUR
Barnes Wallis. Observation. Case histories. Comment. Major factors (time, self, principles). The solution personal and social. Summary.

CHAPTER EIGHT: RENEWAL
Charles. Observation. Case histories. Comment. Major factors (dependence, replacements, the past). The solution responsibility, living without and finding yourself. Summary.

CHAPTER NINE : OUT OF THE PIT
The minister. Observation. Case histories. Comment. Major factors (wounded, fear). The solution healing and growth. The next pit. Summary.

CHAPTER TEN : HAPPINESS
Dinner party. Observation. Major factors definition of happiness, unhappiness, personal factors (outlook, age, sex and marriage, prosperity) and amount of happiness. The solution personal life, relationships and environment. Conclusion. Summary.

CHAPTER ELEVEN : CONCLUSION