This is a case study-memoir of the most interesting psychiatric patients that I have personally treated in 40 years of psychiatric practice. These cases are unusually vivid and perhaps disturbing for the layperson. I also have written some personal commentary about the "system" and how it could be "fixed" or at least improved. I have explained chronic mental illness and the need for continuity and accountability of our seriously mentally ill population. I suggest this book be read by students in the field of the helping professions as well as the families of these people. - James W. Cole, MD