Using a new model for the classification of types of readings, this book shows how to read, analyze and interpret life story materials.

The authors introduce four models: holistic-content reading, holistic-form reading, categorical-content reading, and categorical-form reading. They present two complete narratives so that readers can compare the authors' interpretations against the actual text as well as analyze the stories on their own. The subsequent chapters provide readings, interpretations and analyses of the narrative data from the models.