Die Beratenden Psychiater des deutschen Heeres 1939 bis 1945

delivery. In such circumstances, he argued, childbirth occurred quickly, with few complications, limited discomfort, and little need for the medical intervention that had become a regular part of modern obstetrical practice. For Dick-Read a "natural birth" transcended medicine, having important social, if not religious, connotations. A pleasant and uncomplicated delivery, he believed, best prepared a woman psychologically for the responsibilities of motherhood. Physicians criticized Dick-Read's theories for undermining established medical practice and for their lack of scientific content. Regardless, "natural childbirth" found favour among many women, who, in the aftermath of the Second World War had become distrustful of science and sought return to a simpler style of life. It is noteworthy that Benjamin Spock's The common sense book of baby and child care, published almost contemporaneously with Dick-Read's first book, had a similar message and reaped similar public acclaim. No less important for Dick-Read's success, he understood patients. This point becomes clear in this collection of letters edited by Mary Thomas. Encouraged by his books, women from all parts of the world wrote to Dick-Read to describe their experience with pregnancy, childbirth, hospitals, and physicians, and to praise or criticize his theories of "natural birth". Dick-Read answered most of them. From this voluminous correspondence Thomas has selected representative letters to illustrate the hopes, fears, triumphs and tragedies of these women. Many are astonishingly candid. Dick-Read's replies, equally forthright and personal, suggest a physician of great warmth, understanding, and patience-characteristics that probably contributed greatly to the success of his methods in his own practice. They also reveal Dick-Read's messianic faith in his method, and his belief that a "natural" birth could transform society. His comments about other physicians, often critical if not scathing, help explain his unpopularity among colleagues. Professor Thomas has chosen and organized her material well. She begins with an essay that includes pertinent biographical material about Dick-Read, and a historical review of modern obstetrical practice. Each of the remaining sections deals with a different issue: scientific childbirth, feelings of failure, success in natural childbirth, and disagreeing with the method, for example. Thomas introduces each group of letters with a short essay that puts the material into its social and medical context. The book is informative and interesting to read. Most importantly, it provides a wealth of insight and resource material for anyone interested in the evolution of childbirth practices in the twentieth century.