798 BOOK REVIEWS

J. OGDEN: Far Chance! The Myth of Dieting Explained. Routledge, London and New York (1992). xi + 105 pp. f6.99

This is an engaging little book which grew out of the author’s Ph.D. studies. It is directed at the “average-sized woman who is led to believe she is over-sized”, with the aim of understanding why 90% of the female population diet, yet few lose weight and even fewer maintain any weight loss. Professionals will find little new in this book which accords with current thought.

It begins with a brief historical review, from a largely feminist perspective, of the demands made on women to manipulate their bodies in order to be socially acceptable. The analogy of Chinese footbinding with dieting is powerfully made. The author then considers the medical risks of obesity and moves on to consider why dieting is not confined to those with a medical indication for weight loss (although she does compare life-time and point-prevalence figures). She is perhaps at her best when evaluating “fad” diets and the other self-destructive measures employed as an aid to weight loss. The diet industry is discussed, as are the reasons why diets fail and the link between dieting and low self-esteem. Men and dieting are also briefly considered. The final chapter combines an appraisal of the motives which may underlie the drive for thinness with some practical exercises to increase bodily acceptance. These exercises are likely to be too difficult for the weight sensitive woman to attempt after reading a book alone.

Those who buy this book to learn how to give up dieting will be disappointed; however, those who wish to understand their need to diet may be left with much to ponder over. I would recommend this book to the normal weight dieter who is unhappy about her behaviour but who is uncertain about change.

JANE TILLER

P. GILBERT: Counsellingfor Depression. Sage, London (1992). viii + 161 pp. E9.95.

This short and well-written book by one of our most literate and original workers in the field of depression provides both an introduction to a broad-based cognitive approach, influenced by numerous writers in the area, and a detailed insight into the specific problems of the depressed, taking a social and interpersonal perspective. Gilbert has written an account of therapy that is, while being brief, also extremely sensitive, explicit and realistic. This is cognitive therapy with a human, emotional face, taking due regard of interpersonal factors and providing a refreshing contrast with some other more intellectual expositions.

Although intended for trainee counsellors and their trainers, the experienced clinician will find much of value in the later chapters. (And what, now, is the distinction between counselling and therapy?) The highlight for me was the chapter which dealt with various ways in which the negative self can be expressed in depression: in shame, guilt, ideals and envy. Gilbert provides some interesting ideas about how to work with these features.

Overall, the book provides an interesting state-of-the-art summary of cognitive therapy in the 1990s with its increased emphasis upon the interpersonal, historical and long-term issues and the importance of eliciting affect in producing change.

RUTH WILLIAMS

R. GAL and A. D. MANGELSDORFF (Eds): Handbook of Military Psychology. Wiley, Chichester (1991). xxxii + 780 pp. f95.00.

This voluminous handbook covers a highly specialised field: military psychology. It offers a description and a review of the vast field of military psychology, both past and present. The editors say: ‘[The book] describes what military psychology is; how the specialities within psychology are applied in military settings; the similarities and differences within and between multi-national and multi-service settings; the historical basis for the development and application of psychological principles in multi-service military settings; and the ongoing research and applications of military psychology’ @xxv).

The 39 chapters are grouped under seven sections: selection, classification and placement; human factors and military performance; environmental factors and military performance; leadership; individual and group behaviour; clinical and consultative/organizational psychology; and special subjects.

It is, obviously, an impossible task to even attempt to review all the diverse chapters in this book. For the reader of this journal, the chapters on assessment and those on therapy for those who need it will be of particular value. Stress reactions in combat-exposed soldiers have been studied for many decades, and there are significant developments in the treatment of these, especially post-traumatic stress disorder. One might have wished for more detailed discussion of these, but-given the vast scope of the bookAetailed discussion of any sub-topic was perhaps not feasible. What one has here is a set of good but relatively brief considerations of a very large array of topics related to military psychology, rather than in-depth treatments of any of these areas. However, the chapters are not superficial, and are mostly very good introductions to the area in question.

This is truly a handbook; not to be read from beginning to end-no, not even by a reviewer-but to be consulted, browsed and selectively read. The editors have clearly put in a great deal of thought and effort into the production of this book. Their efforts have proved worthwhile. In my small library, this will stand next to Good Soldier Schweik. Why? Because they are both books that I am pleased to have, and which I shall take out from time to time.

P. DE SILVA

C. EISER: Chronic Childhood Disease: An Introduction IO Psychological Theory and Research. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1990). + 174 pp. E8.95.

This book provides an extensive review of the research findings in the field of chronic childhood disease. The information reported here is organized in nine short chapters presented under the following headings: “Psychological perspectives in chronic childhood disease”, “Admission to hospital”, “The nature of pain”, “ Adjustment in the child with chronic disease”, “Adjustment in the family”, “Communication and education”, “Intervention Programmes”, “Coping with chronic disease” and “Future directions”. In addition. there is at the end of the book a comprehensive and updated list of references on this topic.

Throughout these chapters the reader is given useful information on the most common chronic illnesses, their characteristics and prognosis, the impact they have at different stages of children’s development, and the stress it causes in their

BOOK REVIEWS 799

families. There is also much practical advice on how to approach these children, to talk to them about their disease, to prepare them for medical treatment or to help them to cope with pain and anxieties. Some of these techniques are described with considerable detail and their efficacy is discussed in the light of the most recent empirical findings.

Despite its excellent quality, this work has also some limitations. Among other things, the author ignored some important chronic diseases (e.g. mental retardation, deformities resulting from accidents, cerebral palsy) and does not specify which form of intervention is the most appropriate for each illness. Furthermore, some of the studies cited here seem based on small numbers of subjects, lack methodological rigour and are not anchored on any solid theoretical framework.

On the whole, however, the weaknesses of the book are outnumbered by its positive qualities. Therefore, it should be recommended as a precious source of information for teachers, parents, psychologists, nurses and other workers in the field of child health psychology.

ANTONIO FONSECA

D. BHUGRA and A. BURNS (Eds): Munagemenf Trainingfor Psychiatrists. Gaskell, London (1992). xii + 260 pp. f 15.00.

This book is intended to help psychiatrists acquire familiarity and knowledge in a range of areas under the rubric of ‘management’. The editors have endeavoured to provide a broad theoretical overview of some concepts of management, and to facilitate a practical approach to the day-to-day processes in which psychiatrists are involved. With rapid and major changes taking place in the health service and related areas in the U.K., the need for some help for the young psychiatrist in gaining the necessary background knowledge in order to function effectively is increasingly recognized. This book, published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, is a mark of that recognition.

Clearly, psychiatrists in training-and even those in established positions-will find a wealth of useful material and suggestions here. Does the book have any appeal to others? Some of the chapters are useful reading for any one with an interest in health service provision in general and mental health in particular. Community care, trusts, resource management and the history of the National Health Service, are examples of topics that are covered here which have broader appeal. Equally useful are the chapters on topics like time management and negotiation. Sadly, ethical issues are not covered, perhaps because there is already a reasonably good literature in this area.

One problem with a book like this is that it needs regular up-dating. Had there been a change of government in the U.K. shortly after the book’s publication, as many pollsters believed, a major and immediate re-write would have been needed. Whatever their political affiliations, I am sure the editors were relieved when, in the early hours of the 10th of April, 1992, it became clear that the British electorate had opted for no change!

A. READ

R. MILLAR, V. CRUTE and 0. HARGIE: Professional Interviewing. Routledge, London (1991). xiv + 205 pp. f 12.99.

This book draws together information from a wide spectrum of disciplines, including psychology, communication, sociology, education, business and counselling, and presents, in the author’s words “a detailed, informed and informative account of research, theory and practice in interviewing”. It is aimed at any professional group which regularly employs interviewing techniques in its work. Beginning with definitions and discussion of the general characteristics and essential features of the interview, the book goes on to a consideration of interviewing in five main settings which are: counselling, selection, research, medicine and job performance appraisal.

The essential conceptual framework is provided by the social interactional model whose components and features are clearly described and discussed, including the role of individual motivation, interview behaviour, goal conflicts, mediating factors of such as values/belief systems, and other significant factors such as age, gender and appearance. There is also a more detailed analysis of the effects of social perception and, in particular, the problem of bias in judgements, with some practical suggestions about correcting perceptual inaccuracies. With this sound theoretical basis in place there is, then, a closer inspection of the practicalities of interviewing styles and techniques, laying particular emphasis on the core task of goal setting and feedback. Finally, the authors examine the professional contexts in which interviewing may be employed and consider some of the dilemmas which commonly arise. For example, these may be to do with the operationalisation of varying codes of practice and, more generally, around issues of confidentiality and professional responsibility.

My personal opinion of this book is that it is highly competent, easily readable and well-researched and organised. There is a good balance between theory and practice but the general emphasis is more on increasing the reader’s understanding of the issues involved than providing a technical manual. I would recommend it to a wide readership who employ formal and informal interviewing in their day-to-day working practice.

JANE BEAL

R. J. EDELMANN: Anxiety: Theory, Research and Interuention in Clinical and Health Psychology. Wiley, Chichester (1992). xv + 349 pp. E29.95.

Anxiety and depression are two universal emotions; everyone has doubtless experienced each of them at one time or another. In addition to their normal expression, as tension, fear, or low mood, each of them can occur in a pathological, incapacitating form. Of the two, anxiety is notable for the wide variety of forms that it manifests. It is also relatively difficult to treat effectively by pharmacological means, so that psychological treatments are increasingly thought of as the treatment of choice.

This book is part of the excellent Wiley Series in CIinical Psychology, which is edited by Fraser Watts and Mark Williams and provides a series of short volumes reviewing different topics. It is particularly ambitious, since it begins with general theoretical perspectives on anxiety, and then looks at theory and research in diverse areas of both clinical and health psychology. It first reviews the major theoretical issues relating to emotion in general and anxiety in particular. Then, in addition to looking at most of the anxiety disorders (with the unfortunate omission of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), it considers the role of anxiety in sexual dysfunction and health related areas, such as anxiety before surgery, avoidance of medical help, and the role of anxiety in a number of physical disorders. Under each heading Edelmann considers theoretical perspectives, assessment instruments, and treatment methods. For each topic, his book provides an excellent summary of recent research, so that by following the references the reader can delve deeper into the various topics.