This full colour, clinically focused textbook provides a comprehensive account of psychiatric disorders. The judges were impressed by its clear style and presentation; factual and practical, it is enlivened by many literary quotations Judges, Royal Society of Medicine and Society of Authors 2007 Book Awards (WINNER RICHARD ASHER PRIZE) Neel Burton is to be congratulated on producing such an excellent, enjoyable, and enlivening book. His considerable enthusiasm for the subject matter of psychiatry shines through the pages of this introductory textbook and should make it even more interesting for the target audience of medical undergraduates. The book is both useful and enjoyable. The overall format, helpful illustrations and diagrams, and thought-provoking spiritual and philosophical quotations all combine to make it a good read. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to medical students and even to junior psychiatric trainees. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 2007; 11(1): 79 This book is very different from any medical textbook you've ever read. It has a great number of merits but arguably its greatest merit is to have singlehandedly transformed the perception of psychiatry from that of Cinderella speciality to that of hottest specialty on offer. I sincerely hope that it sets a trend in medical textbooks. Reviewer, Amazon.co.uk Dr Burton's book exemplifies good teaching through simplification of the subject into its key components. By helping the reader to gain confidence rapidly, space is made to encourage a broader appreciation of psychiatry with memorable examples of mental illness drawn from history, art, music, literature and drama...By stimulating the formation of diverse intellectual links between society and psychiatry, a profound skill is taught, that of becoming a thinking doctor, who is aware that medicine is life itself and not merely a subject to be practised in abstraction. This original, refreshing perspective offered by Burton encourages the student to realise that all consultations are, indeed psychiatric. Journal of the British Association of Psychopharmacology It is certainly a competent psychiatry book, but there are others out there too; Burton really sets his apart by making it interesting. There are numerous informative boxes from history and literature that both bring the subject to life and make it memorable, rather than detracting from it. If you like psychiatry, you will enjoy these forays into history and arts; if you hate psychiatry, these forays will keep you sane and interested. The Placebo Effect, HYMS Gazette This book puts in enough context and history to keep it interesting and relevant whilst also dealing with the necessary basic clinical skills and concepts of therapeutics. It's in full colour and it's thoroughly readable. I would recommend reading it cover to cover before starting your psych course, and then again just before exams. It's one of the few textbooks on psychiatry that isn't either a bit lacking, or too irritatingly self-indulgent. I like it. Definitely worth a read. Reviewer, Amazon.co.uk This is an excellent text which explains psychiatry in an easy to understand way. Case histories provide an insight into how conditions present. This text provides all the information you need including, aetiology, clinical features, diagnosis and management. A beautifully written and illustrated text, with full colour throughout. An excellent text book which I would highly recommend to students and doctors alike. Reviewer, Amazon.co.uk Psychiatry can be a terrifying prospect for any medical student but this book breaks it down into manageable, clearly illustrated sections with many usful cases and examples. Medical Student, St. Andrews University A beautifully presented, well written journey through one of the core subjects. Plenty of contextual and historical background to keep you interested whilst still including the basic science necessary to passs finals. Medical Student, St. Georges Medical School A novel approach to clinical psychiatry, this book makes the subject come alive and aids learning through the stimulation of the mind. Medical Student, University of East Anglia A well-presented text which summarises the essential information needed to get through the much dreaded psychiatry exams. It includes useful revision summaries and self-assessment questions. Medical Student, Nottingham Unviersity A fabulous textbook whcih covers a difficult topic in an easy to understand and fun way. Examples of patients makes this text very useful in comprehending mental illness and how it presents. Medical Student, Manchester Unviersity
