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Lose Weight and Live
312
PSYCHOSOMATICS
author applies and interprets the Rorschach Test. In addition to this, Beck elaborates in the later portion of the book on "Defenses" and "Transference" and their relationship to the Rorschach Test. The special value of this book lies in its clarity and practicality in addition to its providing new and original directions for further research. Hans Hahn, Ph.D.
LIVE LONGER AND BETTER. Robert C. Peale, M.D. New York: Prentice Hall. The brother of Norman Vincent Peale has written an inspirational book about weight control. He is to be commended that he resisted the temptation to call it the "Power of Positive Weight Reduction." At one point he exhorts the dieter, "So when you are tempted to qUit, draw upon God for sustenance. He can help you as He has helped millions of others through centuries of time." AlI of us, I am sure, are on God's side and will not dispute such worthy sentiments. There are numerous charts and tables involving a point system where 25 calories equals one point. Although any honest information about weight reduction is of value to the public, I fear that Dr. Peale has written a dull book. The reviewer is of the opinion that the answer to the problem of obesity lies in the efforts of intellectually honest physicians who devote time and thought to the problem. Leonid Kotkin, M.D.
PSYCHIATRY: DESCRIPTIVE AND DYNAMIC. By Jackson A. Smith, M.D. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1960. 321 pages. $7.00. The reviewer finds this book of Doctor Smith's welI written, easily readable, understandable and extremely well organized. More importantly. he successfulIy carries out his original aim in writing his treatise by reducing the complex, complicated and abstract subjects of psychiatry and psycho-dynamics to a level where various psychiatric syndromes would be easily recognizable by students and non-psychiatric physicians. The contents are carefully arranged and written in a conversational tone. At the beginning of each chapter there is a well defined outline which makes it easier for the student to folIow. The author has a very extensive and excelIent list of references in his bibliography. Such areas in psychiatry as "Controversies," "Theoretical Discord" and "Non-Medical Speculation" are minimized, and he gives adequate attention to the more important and more frequently seen psychiatric problems. Basic dynamic concepts are included as well as a brief review of their origin. There are many interesting clinical examples cited to aid the student to better understand the
JULY-AUGUST
psychiatric disorder. The chapters on "Psychiatric Examinations" and "Psychotherapy" should certainly be of interest and value to all physicians. AlI clinical syndromes seen in psychiatric practice are welI discussed etiologicalIy. psychologically, dynamicalIy and therapeuticalIy with minimal abuse of semantics. It is an excelIent text book and will be meaningfUl and act as a dependable guide to physicians who are interested in psychiatry and the emotional disorders of their patients. Students and non-psychiatric physicians should find this a valuable book. Milton H. Oohen, M.D.
LOSE WEIGHT AND LIVE. Robert P. Goldman. New York: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1961. There is no doubt that any book on obesity which wilI persuade some readers to lose weight serves a good and useful purpose. There must have been scores published in the past ten years which have covered the same ground, ad nauseum. The padding, repetition, imitation and superficiality of these books have not impressed the intelligent reader. This book offers the experience of a professional Writer who lost weight. The reviewer assumes that it is necessary to offer common sense, "Dutch Uncle" advice, in order to reach the largest numbers and so insure a substantial sale. If so, this point of view deserves some respect. But deeper reasons as to the emotional background of overeating will appeal to the more thoughtfUl reader. Leonid Kotkin, M.D.
AIDS TO PSYCHIATRY. W. S. Dawson and E. W. Anderson. Eighth Edition. Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, London, William & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1960. Pp. 310. $3.50. This eighth edition of a book first published thirty-six years ago, retains the original goals of presenting a concise account of current practical psychiatry. Its special appeal lies in its value to the non-psychiatrist seeking solid foundations in basic concepts. The chapter on "Psychopathology" is extremely useful in that it emphasizes the need to understand the interrelationships of somatic and psychic factors-that neither by itself provides the magical answers. Its concise formulations of psychopathological aberrations and disorders are lucid and instructive, and encompass alI theories and schools of persuasion. The etiology of mental disorders folIows similar unprejudiced exposition. The chapters on "Organic Disorders" and "Toxic States" are complete; epilepsy is considered in all of its manifestations and covers pathophysiology and EEG findings. "Schizophrenia"
PSYCHOSOMATICS
author applies and interprets the Rorschach Test. In addition to this, Beck elaborates in the later portion of the book on "Defenses" and "Transference" and their relationship to the Rorschach Test. The special value of this book lies in its clarity and practicality in addition to its providing new and original directions for further research. Hans Hahn, Ph.D.
LIVE LONGER AND BETTER. Robert C. Peale, M.D. New York: Prentice Hall. The brother of Norman Vincent Peale has written an inspirational book about weight control. He is to be commended that he resisted the temptation to call it the "Power of Positive Weight Reduction." At one point he exhorts the dieter, "So when you are tempted to qUit, draw upon God for sustenance. He can help you as He has helped millions of others through centuries of time." AlI of us, I am sure, are on God's side and will not dispute such worthy sentiments. There are numerous charts and tables involving a point system where 25 calories equals one point. Although any honest information about weight reduction is of value to the public, I fear that Dr. Peale has written a dull book. The reviewer is of the opinion that the answer to the problem of obesity lies in the efforts of intellectually honest physicians who devote time and thought to the problem. Leonid Kotkin, M.D.
PSYCHIATRY: DESCRIPTIVE AND DYNAMIC. By Jackson A. Smith, M.D. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1960. 321 pages. $7.00. The reviewer finds this book of Doctor Smith's welI written, easily readable, understandable and extremely well organized. More importantly. he successfulIy carries out his original aim in writing his treatise by reducing the complex, complicated and abstract subjects of psychiatry and psycho-dynamics to a level where various psychiatric syndromes would be easily recognizable by students and non-psychiatric physicians. The contents are carefully arranged and written in a conversational tone. At the beginning of each chapter there is a well defined outline which makes it easier for the student to folIow. The author has a very extensive and excelIent list of references in his bibliography. Such areas in psychiatry as "Controversies," "Theoretical Discord" and "Non-Medical Speculation" are minimized, and he gives adequate attention to the more important and more frequently seen psychiatric problems. Basic dynamic concepts are included as well as a brief review of their origin. There are many interesting clinical examples cited to aid the student to better understand the
JULY-AUGUST
psychiatric disorder. The chapters on "Psychiatric Examinations" and "Psychotherapy" should certainly be of interest and value to all physicians. AlI clinical syndromes seen in psychiatric practice are welI discussed etiologicalIy. psychologically, dynamicalIy and therapeuticalIy with minimal abuse of semantics. It is an excelIent text book and will be meaningfUl and act as a dependable guide to physicians who are interested in psychiatry and the emotional disorders of their patients. Students and non-psychiatric physicians should find this a valuable book. Milton H. Oohen, M.D.
LOSE WEIGHT AND LIVE. Robert P. Goldman. New York: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1961. There is no doubt that any book on obesity which wilI persuade some readers to lose weight serves a good and useful purpose. There must have been scores published in the past ten years which have covered the same ground, ad nauseum. The padding, repetition, imitation and superficiality of these books have not impressed the intelligent reader. This book offers the experience of a professional Writer who lost weight. The reviewer assumes that it is necessary to offer common sense, "Dutch Uncle" advice, in order to reach the largest numbers and so insure a substantial sale. If so, this point of view deserves some respect. But deeper reasons as to the emotional background of overeating will appeal to the more thoughtfUl reader. Leonid Kotkin, M.D.
AIDS TO PSYCHIATRY. W. S. Dawson and E. W. Anderson. Eighth Edition. Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, London, William & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1960. Pp. 310. $3.50. This eighth edition of a book first published thirty-six years ago, retains the original goals of presenting a concise account of current practical psychiatry. Its special appeal lies in its value to the non-psychiatrist seeking solid foundations in basic concepts. The chapter on "Psychopathology" is extremely useful in that it emphasizes the need to understand the interrelationships of somatic and psychic factors-that neither by itself provides the magical answers. Its concise formulations of psychopathological aberrations and disorders are lucid and instructive, and encompass alI theories and schools of persuasion. The etiology of mental disorders folIows similar unprejudiced exposition. The chapters on "Organic Disorders" and "Toxic States" are complete; epilepsy is considered in all of its manifestations and covers pathophysiology and EEG findings. "Schizophrenia"