This biography investigates the life and public transition of Christine Jorgensen, the first widely publicized transgender woman in the United States. Richard Docter, a clinical psychologist, utilizes his professional background to analyze the intersection of Jorgensen's personal identity formation and the intense media scrutiny she faced during the 1950s. The text argues that Jorgensen's public visibility fundamentally altered the American cultural discourse regarding gender identity and medical intervention.

Experts recognize this work as a significant historical document that provides clinical insight into the early public understanding of gender transition. Readers frequently note the balance between the author's psychological expertise and the biographical narrative of Jorgensen's life.