A controversy is raging over whether it is ethical for psychiatrists to comment on the mental health of public figures. This book is a gripping exploration of the so-called 'Goldwater Rule', from its origins with Barry Goldwater in the 1960s to its consequences today in the age of Donald Trump.

Is it ethical for psychiatrists to call a president a narcissist? From Goldwater to Trump, Martin-Joy reviews the debate.

'John Martin-Joy is a meticulous researcher and writer, making his book a pleasure to read. Mixing the disciplines of law, psychiatry, and history, the book describes the impact of the 'Goldwater Rule' with the detail and analytic precision that no scholar has provided before. This book is sure to be regarded as a classic in the years ahead.' Lawrence J. Friedman, Professor of History Emeritus, Harvard University and Indiana University