Bold are the publishers and authors who assert that any text is ‘the definitive’ one, as has been stated here, but most certainly this book does represent a very comprehensive coverage of the relationship between mental health and disaster. By ‘disasters’ the authors mean so-called natural incidents, technological incidents and those events associated with mass violence.

The book is divided into seven thematic sections, incorporating 35 chapters. A wide range of key topics are addressed, including specialist mental health interventions, vulnerable groups, traumatic grief, resilience and psychopathology in all its guises. In addition, there is valuable coverage of cross-cultural issues, physical health problems, and journalism and the media.

Different types of case study are incorporated. These cover, for example, Chernobyl, the tsunamis, Turkish earthquakes, and the Enschede fireworks explosion in The Netherlands. Terrorist incidents in the USA, Israel and London are also well covered. One other disaster I thought might have received some attention was the massive earthquake of 2005 in Pakistan. I also thought that a little more could have been said of the period known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland (1960s–1998) and their impact on the mental health of the Irish nation. On the other hand, I do accept that no one book can cover all major incidents.

Although the reviews of the different topics are very good, I liked the fact that the book has a forward-looking perspective. This is achieved by a critical commentary on the strengths and shortcomings of the studies which the authors have covered. Moreover, they identify important gaps in our knowledge and the challenges facing us if we are to address these. Perhaps some more guidance on ethical issues might also have been useful to prospective researchers.

In summary, however, I commend this book without reservation. It is well written and the editors have achieved a good balance among the chapters. The authors are rigorous in their critical analysis of the research from which the data are derived, and they identify fruitful opportunities for researchers, practitioners and policy makers.