In the style of Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, Professor L. Alex Swan's Cornelia's Struggle is a non-fiction novel about social justice. This work is the story of a young couple separated and reunited in the American justice system. Cornelia's husband John is accused of a crime and sent to prison; Cornelia is left to raise their three children. Cornelia returns to college and then moves on to law school where she successfully has her husband's case re-opened. Her efforts culminate in John's release from prison.

This "novel" contrasts the quality of justice dispensed to poor people, particularly minorities, while simultaneously drawing the reader into the human-interest story of the couple's struggles and relationship. In light of the failure of the majority of prisoners' families to survive, recover, and succeed, Cornelia's Struggle defies the odds and instructs while giving the reader the real life struggle of the family.

This work is recommended for students of law, criminal justice, sociology, social work, psychology, political science, communications, social justice, and the general reading public.