“Our most accomplished historian of madness and its treatments . . . . Scull, as always, is acute in his assessment and critique. . . . A vital and original perspective on the reshaping of mental medicine.” ?—Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences
"Scull writes with style and wit. He is, by turns, skeptical, combative and passionate, especially in his denouncements of treatments. . . . Although one may not agree with all of Scull's opinions, these essays offer a stimulating and provoking account of psychiatry, past and present."—British Journal of Psychiatry
"Andrew Scull is without a doubt one of the major names in the history of late 20th-century psychiatry. In a period of historiographical renewal that, influenced by such authors as Foucault and Goffman, came to offer highly critical views of psychiatry—against the backdrop of anti-psychiatry and the emergence of the survivors of psychiatry movement—Scull's work always maintained a balance, which was not always easy to hold. . . . The collection does have the virtue of offering an overview of Scull's thinking on the subject."—Centaurus
"Scull is able to bring to each lively and engaging chapter, no matter how seemingly narrow in focus, a wealth of historical research, sociological analysis, and humane reflection that places each fragmentary account into a richer and more coherent historical narrative."—Society
"This volume is a useful collection of his insights for any historian or anthropologist of mental health."—Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry
"An enthralling collection that will shock many, enrage some, and entertain all."—Simon Rich, author of
Hits and Misses "A must-read for those interested in learning about the fraught history of psychiatry."—Susannah Cahalan, author of
Brain on Fire "Andrew Scull's deep historical knowledge of the interlocking fields of neurology, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and psychology give him unparalleled insight into mental health.
Psychiatry and Its Discontents should be read by historians, social scientists, practitioners, and patients alike."—Lisa Appignanesi, author of
Everyday Madness and
Mad, Bad, and Sad "The definitive account of the treatment of mental illness from its beginnings to the present day. An outstanding accomplishment."—Patrick McGrath, author of
Spider, Asylum, and
Trauma "Scull is a master of the complex space where history, sociology, social policy, and ethics meet. An indispensable book for anyone concerned with history and health policy."—Charles E. Rosenberg, author of
Our Present Complaint "A bracing and important contribution to the history of psychiatry. I may disagree with several of its conclusions and the things Scull chooses to emphasize, but the book is meant to be provocative. It engages the reader in thinking about the controversies that attend the study and treatment of mental illness."—Kay Redfield Jamison, author of
Robert Lowell: Setting the River on Fire