Sen. Brown's Family Backs Book Accuracy

U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's mother and sister are defending the accuracy of his best-selling memoir in which he accuses one of his stepfathers of abuse.

But the Massachusetts Republican's former stepfather denies beating Brown as a teenager and says a chapter in "Against All Odds" that describes the alleged abuse is "90 percent lies or mistruths."

Brown's mother, 72-year-old Judith Brown, told The Boston Globe from her Hampton, N.H., home that her marriage to Frank "Larry" McShane in the 1970s was a "horror show," and her son has done well "under adverse circumstances."

Brown's sister, Leeann Riley, said McShane was violent to the entire family.

Brown dedicated an entire chapter in the book to McShane.

McShane, who lives in Palm Harbor, Fla., says Brown is looking for "the sympathy vote."