American Handbook of Psychiatry

Abstract

Dr Silvano Arieti, the editor-inchief of The Handbook of Psychiatry , now in its second edition, has sought present the reputable schools of thought and therapeutic approaches from which students and professionals would have choose and pave their own ways either towards eclecticism, plurality, or a given orientation. Completeness has been preferred simplification, representation of contrasting views uniformity and attempts towards consistency. The adjective American in the title reflects the tendency characterizing most psychiatrists in the United States, to listen to, try out, and evaluate all theories and methodologies and techniques, and absorb and find a place for all or many of them. He has been very successful in this undertaking. The six volumes, each edited by a separate editor or editors of great distinction, offer a balanced view of the evolving, confusing, yet exciting state of modern psychiatry. The authors are scholars who