To be able to understand and eventually forgive my mother for trying to kill me when I was an infant, and for the violence I suffered at her hand as a child, I had to understand the source of her fury. The history of abuse of women in the Augustus family began before Gussie was born. Gussie's mother, Della, was raised as a slave to her family, without a voice, forced to tend to her many younger siblings' needs. Della continued to be abused by those around her until her husband rescued her from that lifestyle-but the relief was short, as he was killed only a few years later. Shortly after Della's husband's death, Gussie was born. Della used the infant to channel her anger at the way she had been treated. Gussie grew up surrounded by verbal and physical abuse. But rather than let the violence keep her down, Gussie knew it was time to break the cycle. It was hard, and at times, it looked like she wouldn't succeed. When her husband tried to kill her multiple times, she barely escaped with her life. After entering a healthy relationship and reconciling with her mother, Gussie's battle became that of succeeding in a workplace dominated by men. Gussie fought t only for herself but for women everywhere, including her mother, whose situation was what had originated Gussie's childhood of terror. From Falling to Flying is an emotional memoir that will inspire every woman to rise up from her circumstances and t let prejudices or hardship stand in the way of what she deserves.