This is the newest addition to the standard texts for trainees preparing for the MRCPsych examination in the UK and Ireland. The breadth of topics covered is impressive and includes a history of psychiatry, basic psychology, statistics, neurosciences (including neuroimaging and anatomy), mental disorders, and medical and psychological management. The book touches on clinical specialties, management of mental health services and legal and ethical aspects of psychiatry, as well as subjects infrequently covered in other texts: emergency psychiatry, chronic pain and palliative care. Some of the chapters are supplemented with a reading list.

The book makes abundant use of tables, images and summary boxes. The sections on basic psychology and psychological therapies are likely to be sufficient for those preparing for the MRCPsych exam. This may sweeten the pill of the hefty price tag and obviate the need for additional textbooks. In the chapters covering mental illness, common pathologies are covered alongside the less common ones: psychosexual disorders and paraphilia. The sections on functional disorders are extensive and, rather perturbingly, the chapter on multiple chemical sensitivities is considerably longer than the one on schizophrenia. The ICD–10 and DSM–IV criteria are provided for some disorders but omitted in others. This may prove frustrating to those preparing for exams who wish to have all the relevant information to hand.

Despite these few shortcomings, this book will provide a solid reference source which can confidently take its place next to its more established rivals.