This is a book that is both non-fiction history of mental health care and treatment is the U. S. (and it's origins in the U.K.), as well as a memoir of the author's own personal experience with two schizophrenic sons. There were times in this book where the biases of being a dad of two schizophrenic sons overwhelmed the seemingly factual information being presented on the evolution of mental health care (or lack there of)- and that bias and incessant negative tone bothered me. I don't think the integration of the two forms truly worked. But still interesting food for thought.