Story of prosecution of Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald for the triple murders of his family. Subsequent fall from grace from the practice of law, diagnosis fo severe depression, subsequent imprisonment, and later waiting tables in very public restaurant to survive. A story of how to survive extreme adversity...a real journey of faith. "What books should I take with me on vacation?" "Flame-out" is a good read. -- The Cary News - Carolina Voices - D.G. Martin - May 31, 2000 It was like riding to the top of the Empire State Building in an elevator, only to have the cable cut when I reached the top. And then...having to walk up the stairs the next time. Surviving the descent and starting over at the bottom is a humbling experience...but it is also valuable. I learned before it was too late the importance of people, relationships, faith and the spirit of never giving up. That is why I wrote this book...to tell everyone what I learned...it is a little like peeking behind the curtain to see what is real and only make believe. Everyone has to survive times of adversity. This was mine. Graduate of Wake Forest University in 1966; law school from University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll in 1969; lawyer for over 23 years. Former assistant United States Attorney for Eastern District of North Carolina and United States Attorney for same area. Later became a criminal defense attorney, but best known in North Carolina as a federal prosecutor. I decided to go away later that night and drive hundreds of miles to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where our family had gone to the beaches for years. I loved Hilton Head. Some of the happiest weeks of our past summers had been spent there. I had given my kids bike rides all over the island, walked on the wide sandy beaches, and swam in the warm calm waters. If I were to die, this is where I would choose to do it. At about 8:00 p.m., I walked upstairs to get my car keys and leave. Marsha and Stacy were upstairs. Stacy saw me first. "Dad, what are you doing? Are you feeling any better?" "Not really. I may go out for awhile." "Where are you going? Do you want me to go with you?" "Well, if you must know, I am thinking of driving to the beach. To Hilton Head." "Now, you're going where? And what are you going to do when you get there?" "I thought I might go for a swim." "Dad, let me tell you something. I have been really supportive of you this year. So have Jeff and Mom. But if you decide to do something stupid, I will really be mad at you. I will not forgive you for doing that to us. Not after all this." "Now look, Stacy. Both Wade and Rick said we are going to be poor this way. Well, the way I see it, that doesn't have to happen. I've got a lot of life insurance on me. If I die, the family is okay." "Dad, that is really dumb. The money is not important. We love you." "Stacy, it's a lot of money." "That doesn't make any difference." "A real lot of money." "Okay, Dad, how much money?" "Six hundred thousand dollars." SILENCE. "Dad, you know, I have to tell you...that is a lot of money. We may actually want to think about this." "What!" She started laughing. "I'm just kidding, Dad." Slowly, I started to laugh as well. Marsha, who had been listening to all this from inside the bedroom, joined us and motioned for me to sit down on the bed. Stacy stood in the doorway. Time passed, and as it did, the thoughts of selfishness and despair and hopelessness faded away. As I sat there on the bed, I realized for the first time the twin powers of laughter and unconditional love. Both had combined that night to give me another chance. They had bought me time. Hope is the single ingredient needed to prevent the taking of one's life. But hope is not possible without adequate time to find it. That is often the difference between life and death.