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December 2021 Vol. 59 No. 4

As a teacher of both forensic psychology (where the concepts of defining competency and understanding mental illness are a crucial component of the course) and the history of psychology, this reader found Jenkins's historical look at mental health and mental illness especially intriguing. In his "exploration of the past, present, and future" Jenkins articulates the history with poise and clarity. Covering not only key schools of thought in the changing views of mental health and mental illness but important historical thinkers as well, Jenkins puts the history into context and illuminates the "good" and the "bad" in past and present views. More importantly, he uses the analysis of past and present perspectives to prognosticate about future directions for psychology and psychiatry in their ongoing attempts to comprehend the complexities of mental health and mental illness. All this is clearly done with an eye toward fostering appropriate understanding and treatment. This volume would make an excellent core source in a history of psychology course emphasizing the development of clinical psychology and psychiatry. It should be considered a must for practitioners.

--R. E. Osborne, Texas State University

Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students and professionals.