A surpring disappointment

Reviewed by Sammie, 2009-08-24

I was looking forward to this book as the field is in desperate need or an informed and balanced presentation of the empirical literature on this controversial topic. But, alas, I was disappointed. Many of the crucial chapters are short in length and on substance as well. For instance, the chapter on actuarial risk assessment reads as nothing more than a literature review lifted from several papers. The section on the Static-99 - the most frequently used assessment instrument - receives only 5 paragraphs.

More troubling, however, is the inclusion of entire chapters devoted to PPG and the Abel tests. Any informed clinician knows there is very little empirical research supporting the use of these assessment techniques (especially the Abel). The authors of the PPG chapter make the astounding claim that sexual disorders are one of a small handful of psychiatric disorders with verified physiological markers (the PPG). This despite the fact that the validity of the PPG remains clouded in controversy.

This book is just a regurgitation of past information with only a superficial attempt to provide any comprehensive presentation of the issues. The reputations of many of the authors and the publisher promise much; the book delivers little.