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In the Foreword to this book Professor Henry H. Foster, Jr., Director of the Law-Psychiatry project at New York University Law School, states: 'One need not accept the conclusions of this book nor the opinions of its author. If one disagrees, however, he may find it extremely difficult to formulate a convincing rebuttal.'
Dr. Jeffery is a sociologist with formal training in law, and extensive experience in the field of criminology. The subject of his book—clearly stated in the title—refers primarily to the 'Durham Rule'. In 1954 the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia handed down its decision in a case 'U.S. vs Durham'. Jeffery states: 'What would otherwise have been a routine criminal case … now stands out in criminal law as a twentieth century landmark in the legal definition of crime and insanity'.
The book, divided into two parts, is a scholarly presentation of the author's objections to the 'Durham Rule', 'Mental Disease', and the insanity defense. He presents a number of actual court cases,