This book needs to be considered as recommended reading for all doctors in training in psychiatry. It grasps many nettles and provides a rare insight into contemporary psychiatric practice.

Not only does this book provide a grounding in basic history-taking and mental state examination, but it also tackles the more challenging and enjoyable aspects of our work, such as community mental health team functioning, managing relationships, dealing with substance misuse, difficulties relating to psychosis, interactions with families, as well as wider issues of culture and beliefs. It provides illuminating and thought-provoking insights into self-awareness and the issues we as practitioners bring into the therapeutic relationship.

These issues are captured succinctly by well-chosen clinical scenarios. The text is easily digested and readable, with summary points at the end of each chapter which help to make what can be enormous issues distilled and clear.

A persistent theme is the depth of clinical experience evident in the authors, which is neither lofty nor manifest as unattainable ideals. This book is disarmingly applicable and approachable. What appears as deceptively simple, however, is only possible through considerable familiarity with the subject matter, which is consistently evident here.

This book brings together disparate elements of today's psychiatric practice and provides a real starting point for trainees. For this reason, it is an unsurpassed and important work.