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

This book review describes this comprehensive volume by 45 stellar contributors as useful, readable, & timely. It provides an understanding of the population at risk & guidelines to manage self-destructive patients. Clinical data is complemented by in-depth discussions of the validity & reliability of scales used to measure suicide potential. While treatment is not the primary focus of the book, assessment & predicition are fundamental to treatmemt planning & evaluation of care provided.