A range of theoretical positions about alcoholism within psychiatry are compared. Vaillant presents a disease model of alcoholism. Bean is concerned with understanding the dynamics by which alcoholics and those around them are able to deny the condition. Zinberg defines alcohol addiction within its social context. Mack looks at alcoholism’s effects and problems as they are centered around the “self” and the social context. Khantzian, in direct opposition to Vaillant, presents a defense of traditional psychiatric treatment for alcoholism. (465 pp.)