Presenting a vivid historical account of the contributions that black psychiatrists have made to American psychiatry, this work documents the growth and influence of the group in tandem with the advancement of the field as a whole. It provides us with an appreciation for what the pioneers accomplished and the hurdles they overcame.

Spurlock and the book's many distinguished contributors provide an overview of the history spanning generations and various areas of psychiatry. It covers:

• The early and contemporary pioneers and their contributions to modern psychiatry

• Surveys of black psychiatrists in academia, child psychiatry, psychiatric research, forensic psychiatry, and psychoanalysis, which provide an enlightening view of their experiences

• Personal reflections from some of the pioneers, which allow the reader to step into their shoes and experience how they lived

• Barriers and coping mechanisms of black psychiatrists

• Current mental health issues affecting African Americans

A useful work for psychiatry students or residents and for anyone interested in the history of American psychiatry.