Book Review-Assessment and Prediction of Suicide, edited by R W Maris, A L Berman, J T Maltsberger & R I Yufit

This book review outlines the 32 chapters of this edited book & comments on the excellence & overall organization of the book. The reviewer notes that suicide is a complex multi-determined outcome & that the book underscores the point that the main purpose of assessment is to obtain clinically relevant data; & that often, suicidal behavior is life-enhancing – that is, it represents an attempt to alter specific circumstances in order to achieve a better “quality of life.”