In recent years, the family therapy movement seems to have sometimes deliberately enjoyed producing obscure texts using impenetrable jargon. This book does what its title claims and is a basic, clearly written overview of the subject. The format has remained the same since the previous edition in 1992, but the text has been updated where necessary, for example in the chapter on research and the section on informed consent.

There are issues that cannot be explored in depth, and content on particular complications such as family violence and child abuse is limited. However, there is a large bibliography to allow more detailed reading.

As a text for trainees, it is helpful by being clear and is interesting enough to tempt beginners into reading further works. The book is good value for money and worth any library updating to this edition.