Schizophrenia. The Epigenetic Puzzle: By Irving I. Gottesman and James Shields, with the assistance of Daniel R. Hanson. Cambridge/London/New York: Cambridge University Press, 1982. 258 pp.

This volume contains a succinct, rational statement of what is known and not known about the genetics of schizophrenia. Arguing from the perspective of population studies, the authors conclude that genes play an etiologically vital part in the disorder. Although the molecular biology involved remains to be convincingly demonstrated, the authors believe that the available evidence strongly suggests that specific genetic factors contribute more to the susceptibility to schizophrenia than any other of the elements involved. They also feel that genetic factors may modify the course of the illness.

Their view is neither surprising nor lacking in historical precedent. As the authors themselves note, "the establishment of genetic factors as one of the major causes of disorders in the absence of, or long before, biochemical confirmation has an honorable history and includes hemophilia, Huntington's disease, cardiovascular disease and color blindness." The advantage of the book resides in the authors' scholarly review of the pertinent literature in support of their views, their success in presenting genetic concepts in an