Book excerpt: Kennard (The Retreat, York and the Tuke Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling) discusses the historical context and benefits of therapeutic communities as well as their day-to-day operation. Topics include therapeutic communities for drug abusers, the mentally ill, and people with severe personality disorders; anti-psychiatry and alternative asylum; the future of therapeutic communities; and working in a therapeutic community. The final section lists professional organizations and therapeutic communities in the UK and in other parts of the world. Distributed by Taylor and Francis. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR