Aggression Farrell GA and Gray C Scutari Press 158pp £14.99 1-87 1364 60 4 [Formula: see text].

In Aggression: A Nurse's Guide to Therapeutic Management we have a concise, intelligent account of the theory of aggressive incidents and what to do about them when they occur. The book is designed to improve nurses' knowledge base, self-understanding and to offer pointers for action in a practical setting; it achieves the aim admirably. The use of Eric Berne's theory of transactional analysis (TA) highlights personality traits of both client and nurse, and suggestions are put forward as to how TA may be used to aid social interactions. Aggression is well-argued, logical and straightforward and, above all, is an example of applying theory to practice.