Mark Rubinstein’s Beyond Bedlam’s Door: True Tales from the Couch and Courtroom is a collection of case studies that explores the intersection of psychiatry and law, the tightrope of ethics that doctors traverse, and the tenacity of the human spirit. In turns poignant, humorous, and disturbing, Mr. Rubinstein recounts his patients’ stories with respect and compassion.

Twenty-one essays are compiled in this book. The author’s style is journalistic without being dry, straightforward while still maintaining an eloquence and keen understanding of human nature. Each essay is followed by an afterward that is more clinical in tone and explains the medical conditions and the legalities of the scenes discussed. A glossary of terms at the end was an additional resource for the reader, though Mr. Rubinstein’s essays never fall prey to either medical or legal jargon.

The author’s humane treatment of the tenuous subject matter and exposé of the legal system’s challenges is thought-provoking even as it is entertaining. The engaging writing style combined with fascinating glimpses into the human psyche made Beyond Bedlam’s Door an intriguing read.