M. Q.

Inside Look at the Work and Life of a Forensic Psychiatrist

Revisado: 01-27-21

This book blew me away. Part memoir, part true crime, part inside look at the duties of a forensic psychiatrist. Dr. Taylor expertly weaves these many facets into a compelling narrative. Drawing from his career of conducting forensic assessments of criminals Taylor divides each chapter into subsections of crimes (i.e. Sexual Homicide, Psychotic Homicide, Men Who Kill Their Partners). Each captivating in their own right, it is undoubtedly in the chapter entitled “Women Who Kill Their Children” that Taylor provides the reader with an account from his own life that is surely the most intriguing. Why does someone want to become a forensic psychiatrist? One might wonder what kind of sadistic eccentric would sit through years of medical lectures, training and countless exams (certainly a kind of prison in its own right) only to later routinely allow themselves to be locked inside an actual prison. Dr. Taylor provides us one possible answer. While offering enough details to allow the reader to feel a sense of intimacy into the personal tragedy, a familial infanticide, that would later shape Dr. Taylor’s view of those afflicted with mental illness who commit crimes. He expertly crafts the chapter (and book) without making it feel exploitative and gawky. He offers insight and understanding to the motivations behind horrific crimes that leave many of us bewildered and questioning “How could they do that something like that?” Taylor doesn’t oversimplify the medical explanations for the shocking acts of violence perpetrated by any of the patients he’s examined either. This book educates the reader and instead of wondering why some of the individuals committed their crimes, Dr. Taylor persuasively demands the reader begin asking “Why not?”

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Have you heard Chris Bathum’s voice?

Revisado: 09-24-20

Watch the 20/20 interview. The narration in the audiobook will make a lot more sense when you hear what he actually sounds like. Now as for whether or not it would have been in the narrators best interest to use a little “artistic license” is up for debate. But if he was going for accuracy, I’d say he’s spot on.

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Turns Medical Oddities into Universally Relatable Experiences

Revisado: 08-07-20

Thoughtful intertwining of an autobiographical narrative with an inside look at the medical decision making, and professional growth of psychiatrists. The author doesn’t water down or over simplify the neuropsychological aspects of this book in the patronizing way some doctors do. Nor does this story exploit his former patients in a gawking way. Rather, it tells tales that build compassion for both the subject and the narrator, in a way that makes you rejoice their successes and triumphs, and ache with sadness over their frustrating defeats.

The narrator aptly preforms, even changing pitch and other distinguishing characteristics to provide depth to each character during complex recitations of dialogue that could otherwise be a bit hard to follow.

My only complaint was that this book was far too short.

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