Fight Back (book)

Fight Back is a book by Dave Pelzer, published in 2003. It is the third installment in Pelzer's autobiographical series detailing his experiences as a child and young adult, following A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy.

The book chronicles Pelzer's life from age 18, after he emancipated himself from his abusive family, through his service in the U.S. Air Force. It focuses on his struggles to build a new life, overcome the trauma of his childhood abuse, and form healthy relationships. Themes explored in the book include self-reliance, resilience, the lasting effects of childhood trauma, and the search for belonging and acceptance.

Fight Back details the challenges Pelzer faced adapting to military life, including navigating the hierarchical structure and building trust with his peers. The book also describes his relationships with women, including his experiences with love and loss, and his ongoing journey to understand and address the emotional wounds from his past. The narrative emphasizes Pelzer's determination to create a better future for himself despite the profound adversity he experienced during his childhood.