Christopher Hughes was a remarkable teacher. He knew every one of the boys in his classes as if he could see into their minds. He was extraordinarily dynamic and more than a little frightening - to pupils and colleagues alike. Sacrifices begins with his funeral, as his daughter Anna looks back at his life. In the subsequent chapters we see Christopher again through the eyes of those whose lives he touched until at last the kaleidoscope is shaken into focus and we discover the truth about Christopher Hughes, his life and his death.