Julio Scherer Garcia covers the victims of that crime that has done the most harm to Mexican society: kidnapping. He starts by telling of his son's kidnapping and how he, the author, was transformed overnight to an anguished parent with only one night to get the ransom, and follows with the tale of his own kidnapping at the hands of Guatemalan soldiers. The book also includes facts about kidnappings and covers the points of view of the authorities, experts, and reporters.