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Four Pounds of Pressure: A Memoir of Rape, Survival, and Taking Back My Power
Every one of us fears the things that go bump in the night. We’re told tales of happenings when evil is conjured or footsteps are heard while alone in a dark house. But those are just stories, right? What would we do if those fears became an intense reality we could not escape?
On the night of November 17, 2018, Danielle Leukam went to bed as a newly single mother and nurse from Minnesota. On the morning of November 18, 2018, she awoke to a sinister world that would never be the same for her again.
A home invasion gone awry, Danielle was held at gunpoint and raped repeatedly for five hours while her three-year-old son slept in the next room. Mentally tortured and traumatized, Danielle recounts the events of the attack with raw transparency as the agonizing truth of her experiences unfold.
But she is a survivor.
Now, Danielle is armed with the weapon of her voice as she turns tragedy to triumph by seeking to break the silence for victims of rape and sexual assault.
It would’ve taken four pounds of pressure for Danielle’s attacker to pull the trigger on the 9mm handgun held to her head that night, but what about the pressures in the aftermath of survival?
Danielle is taking her power back by releasing the weight of suppression about what it’s like to rebuild after a violation so severe. But she is proof there is hope. Through the ups-and-downs of her compelling story, Danielle is advocating for systematic change and a world of compassion for survivors like her.
On the night of November 17, 2018, Danielle Leukam went to bed as a newly single mother and nurse from Minnesota. On the morning of November 18, 2018, she awoke to a sinister world that would never be the same for her again.
A home invasion gone awry, Danielle was held at gunpoint and raped repeatedly for five hours while her three-year-old son slept in the next room. Mentally tortured and traumatized, Danielle recounts the events of the attack with raw transparency as the agonizing truth of her experiences unfold.
But she is a survivor.
Now, Danielle is armed with the weapon of her voice as she turns tragedy to triumph by seeking to break the silence for victims of rape and sexual assault.
It would’ve taken four pounds of pressure for Danielle’s attacker to pull the trigger on the 9mm handgun held to her head that night, but what about the pressures in the aftermath of survival?
Danielle is taking her power back by releasing the weight of suppression about what it’s like to rebuild after a violation so severe. But she is proof there is hope. Through the ups-and-downs of her compelling story, Danielle is advocating for systematic change and a world of compassion for survivors like her.
258 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2021
19 people are currently reading
1819 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 6, 2022
She's an unbelievable heroine for anyone who's gone through sexual assault. Well written. Bravo!!
July 11, 2021
Danielle Leukam is a face of bravery. Not just because she’s a survivor, but because she made a choice to share the story she wasn’t sure she’d live to tell. Many of us encounter traumatic experiences that leave us feeling ashamed and reluctant to speak out. We fear how society will perceive us and we assume blame for circumstances beyond our control because we believe we have to.
But not Danielle.
In her debut memoir, Four Pound of Pressure, Danielle expresses a raw and compelling narrative of her home invasion that led to her sexual assault and the events that followed. While some of her words are tough to read, Danielle lets us see through her eyes and enter her mind as she recounts the dreadful morning that changed her life forever. The truth of her words takes you outside yourself and into her world–a tough place to be on that dreaded morning. But I believe reliving that moment with her is important. Feeling as if we are there with her, we see just how full of pressure those four pounds must have been.
Plus, Leukam includes us in what it was like as her perpetrator remained unapprehended and the things she had to do to survive with her small son who was in the house when the incident occurred. It is authentic, vividly gut-wrenching, and heavily impactful writing. She openly sheds light on the aftermath of abuse that most repress, and she does so in a way that ignites readers to advocate for systematic change for victims of sexual assault.
Not only was I moved by Danielle’s poignant words, I felt myself riding with her through the ups and downs of the wave of emotions she experienced. I admire her for amplifying her voice and the voices of others like her in this way. She is more than just a survivor. She is an advocate, an activist, a warrior.
Furthermore, I got the message: We can take our power back when she share our truths. I could not put this book down.
-Christine Weimer
ourgalaxypublishing.com
But not Danielle.
In her debut memoir, Four Pound of Pressure, Danielle expresses a raw and compelling narrative of her home invasion that led to her sexual assault and the events that followed. While some of her words are tough to read, Danielle lets us see through her eyes and enter her mind as she recounts the dreadful morning that changed her life forever. The truth of her words takes you outside yourself and into her world–a tough place to be on that dreaded morning. But I believe reliving that moment with her is important. Feeling as if we are there with her, we see just how full of pressure those four pounds must have been.
Plus, Leukam includes us in what it was like as her perpetrator remained unapprehended and the things she had to do to survive with her small son who was in the house when the incident occurred. It is authentic, vividly gut-wrenching, and heavily impactful writing. She openly sheds light on the aftermath of abuse that most repress, and she does so in a way that ignites readers to advocate for systematic change for victims of sexual assault.
Not only was I moved by Danielle’s poignant words, I felt myself riding with her through the ups and downs of the wave of emotions she experienced. I admire her for amplifying her voice and the voices of others like her in this way. She is more than just a survivor. She is an advocate, an activist, a warrior.
Furthermore, I got the message: We can take our power back when she share our truths. I could not put this book down.
-Christine Weimer
ourgalaxypublishing.com
July 14, 2021
Words can't describe the way you will feel reading this book. Though a very difficult read, it is life changing. From the first words of this book I found myself immersed in Danielle's horrible traumatic evening. Danielle does a fantastic job putting her story into words and helping others to feel less alone that have experienced sexual assault. I would recommend all to read her story.
January 3, 2025
Wow, what an incredibly powerful book. As someone new to the world of working directly with survivors (often times shortly after an assault occurs) this book felt like a super important read. It really helps to give a whole picture of how much trauma impacts all facets of life, but also how much strength and perseverance one has to push through it.
July 12, 2021
This is a very inspiring book written by a very strong woman. While parts of this book are hard to read, her story is so important for everyone to read and we can all learn from her experience and strength it took for her to fight back and become the warrior she is for herself, her son, and all the victims of sexual assault and abuse. Her words from the very beginning take you with her through a horrifying night to the beginnings of her healing to becoming an advocate for women and giving them a platform to tell their story.
This is just the beginning for this new author and I can’t wait to see what Danielle’s next chapter is.
This is just the beginning for this new author and I can’t wait to see what Danielle’s next chapter is.
July 4, 2021
I had the privilege of being able to read this book before it's July release, in order to help the author (Danielle) get the book published and see if I noticed any corrections. It was such a good read, I was able to finish it within the day. What Danielle went through would be incredibly difficult for anyone to go through, but Danielle is a fighter and she survived. Many I think will be able to relate to her and her story of survival.
March 14, 2025
The writing isn't the best but this is a heartbreakingly emotional memoir. Danielle's strength is admirable.
August 5, 2021
A very bold and well-written book about Danielle's struggles, survival and goal to help others since her rape in 2018. You will learn a lot about yourself & what you are capable of doing by reading her book.
September 2, 2021
Four Pounds of Pressure was a book that you did not want to put down once you started reading it. Several times throughout the book I had chills throughout my entire body. Danielle is authentic in her feelings and in explaining her experience. Great read!
December 7, 2022
This book is an amazing account of a horrible event the author lived through and the courage she found within herself! It’s hard to read but you find yourself cheering her on and amazed at her courage. I highly recommend this book!
December 22, 2021
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as you continue to read it. Danielle's strength, courage, and mental toughness is inspiring. I just met Danielle a week ago, and I already feel like I have known her for years. Her desire to promote change is truly amazing, and I am proud of her.
January 19, 2023
A lot of memoirs are simple recountings, a writer merely retracing their steps to the best of their abilities, their journeys interesting like every journey is interesting.
Other memoirs bring you as close as you could imagine to living through another human's experiences, and that is the kind of book Four Pounds of Pressure is.
Complex, comprehensive, and written with sharp, vivid clarity, it doesn't blur the effects of trauma. It will break your heart and make you feel helpless at times, but it doesn't stop there, very intentionally; the book (and the author herself) finds vast reservoirs of strength, which leads to resolve, action, and, ultimately, hope.
It took me time to get through the book, out of respect for its content and its character; it was and continues to be an heavy emotional event, and that impact can be felt on the reader.
There is no doubt that this memoir can be a source of comfort and relief for anyone who has been affected by its subject matter.
Other memoirs bring you as close as you could imagine to living through another human's experiences, and that is the kind of book Four Pounds of Pressure is.
Complex, comprehensive, and written with sharp, vivid clarity, it doesn't blur the effects of trauma. It will break your heart and make you feel helpless at times, but it doesn't stop there, very intentionally; the book (and the author herself) finds vast reservoirs of strength, which leads to resolve, action, and, ultimately, hope.
It took me time to get through the book, out of respect for its content and its character; it was and continues to be an heavy emotional event, and that impact can be felt on the reader.
There is no doubt that this memoir can be a source of comfort and relief for anyone who has been affected by its subject matter.
June 10, 2024
This is hard for me to rate because I think this book is incredibly important for understanding the impact that rape and sexual assault have on victims and their loved ones even though I wouldn't necessarily rate the writing or the telling of the story as high by itself. I also listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by an AI-voice, and while done incredibly well, it still wasn't quite the same as listening to a human narrator. All in all, it's not a perfect book, but it's important and well done!
July 12, 2021
An honest account of overcoming the unthinkable, and persevering through it all.
An honest and heart wrenching read of one women’s courage and determination to save herself and her son. Danielle walks you through the events of being raped at gunpoint as well as the horrible aftermath one goes through during recovering from this trauma. This memoir will chill you to the bone and leave you cheering her on as she continues to conquer mountains.
An honest and heart wrenching read of one women’s courage and determination to save herself and her son. Danielle walks you through the events of being raped at gunpoint as well as the horrible aftermath one goes through during recovering from this trauma. This memoir will chill you to the bone and leave you cheering her on as she continues to conquer mountains.
August 13, 2022
What an amazing memoir! Danielle is from the Rochester, MN area…this is the story of how she was raped multiple times with her son in the room across the hall. She had a gun pointed at her head and was threatened that if she called the police the rapist would kill not only her but her son. This is a powerful story of how she takes back her life! She is now a huge activist and speaker raising awareness on woman’s rights! Read it…you won’t be disappointed!
October 5, 2021
Her story is harrowing. It’s her story as told by her. The writing is average. I just wish she would have talked a little more about her recovery as far as therapy, her speaking engagements, what is helping her get through this.
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May 5, 2024No rating. Had the opportunity to see and meet her at a SANE Conference. Reading this retelling of the worst days after enduring a violent sexual assault and reading her victim impact statement as well as the letter to her son pulled on the heart strings.
July 15, 2021
Leukam gives an incredible account of strength, courage, pain, emotion, and survival. Hear her roar!
August 3, 2021
Amazing, heartbreaking true story. Danielle is an extremely smart, strong woman!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2021
What an incredible story. I’m not sure how the author was able to find the strength to write about this horrid event but I am sure grateful that she did. This book was impossible to put down!
January 23, 2022
What a powerful story this is! I couldn’t put this book down once I began. Sexual violence is so ubiquitous and here is a woman who bravely shares her experience! So worth a read.
November 2, 2022
Hard to put down. Unimaginable. So eerie as places she talks about are "just down the road." Makes you think about your life and hardships others may have endured that you don't know about.
January 29, 2024
Def worth the read
Empowering and helpful in many ways
Empowering and helpful in many ways
April 29, 2024
This woman has really been through it and she’s come out on the other side. Her process is what this book documents.
November 26, 2025
Danielle is truly a lioness.
December 1, 2024
Incredibly hard read - I went to nursing school with Danielle and was heartbroken to read her story. Highlights the pain of trauma in a new way
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews