This is the second edition of a textbook first published in 1995. Like the first, it developed out of the Harvard Program in Psychiatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Like all second editions, it has expanded: from 483 pages to 722 and from 20 chapters to 24. Continuity has been maintained between the editions by having most of the original authors provide updates to their chapters.

This is clearly an American textbook. At one level this is entirely reasonable, as the USA is easily able to assemble authors of the highest quality in this, as in every other, mainstream academic field. However, it was a criticism aimed at the first edition that it had a strong, perhaps over-strong, American focus. The editors have tried to remedy this (6 of the 48 authors are now European, of whom 4 are based in Britain). However, the American slant remains. It is apparent in the studies referenced and in the theoretical positions adopted. Thus, the only references to the British and Australian national surveys of psychiatric disorder are in Jane Murphy's chapter on methodology whereas the American National Comorbidity Survey, for all its difficulties, has a chapter to itself. There is also something of a biological preference, which Europeans in particular are probably moving away from. This is illustrated in the (generally very good) chapter on the epidemiology of schizophrenia, where the evidence regarding the impact of stress on the development of psychosis is considerably downplayed. The chapter on methods in psychiatric genetics, by Faraone et al, stands out by its open-handedness regarding the role of the environment.

For readers from Europe or elsewhere outside the USA, the North American focus probably does not matter, as they will be exposed to other viewpoints and other studies. It may, however, matter for the American reader who will not be encouraged by this book to see outside the circle.