There was a shift surrounding schizophrenia in the latter decades of the 20th century which continues today, away from a research and therapeutic nilhism, towards optimism in gaining understanding of aetiology as well as effective treatments. Quite right too, you might say. The lack of a single genetic culprit being identified has not dented this enthusiasm, and the scope and quality of research in the area is vast and increasing.

The market for new texts in schizophrenia, therefore, is growing at an equal pace, and it can be difficult to decide which should be a priority to read (and to buy).

Many a text on the market is little more than a collection of loosely connected review papers and conference transcripts which make the heart sink on opening – what can be inspiring to listen to is not necessarily easy to read.

The Early Course of Schizophrenia, however, is much more than this and is one of the best on the market at present. It is clear in its aims and scope, focusing on recent advances in basic and clinical neurosciences relevant to schizophrenia. It is easily accessible in size, yet manages to cover most individual topic areas in considerable detail.

It is divided in to three sections, ‘Schizophrenia in the premorbid period’, ‘Schizophrenia at the time of the first episode’ and ‘Treatment of early schizophrenia’.

I liked the first section best, not least because with its help I was able clearly to return smart questions from a particularly testing student – a mark of value for money if ever there was one. Chapters of particular note include those on neurocognitive deficits, first-episode schizophrenia and the prodromal period, which managed to tackle pharmacological and behavioural interventions. These areas are covered better than that of treatment in the first episode, which lacked similar scope by focusing exclusively on pharmacology. On the whole the treatment section was weak compared with the premorbid and first-episode sections, and in reality one can question whether a comprehensive review of current treatment in schizophrenia was beyond the range of this small text.

Novel topics that were included and made good reading included gender differences in schizophrenia and late-onset schizophrenia, both neglected areas of the field.

This is a great travel-size book to update adult psychiatrists and those in child and adolescent mental health services, and will also be of use to those coming up for membership. Definitely worth its price tag.