Hearst to Hughes: Memoir of a Forensic Psychiatrist [Paperback]

Don Lunde (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2007

Dr. Lunde takes us behind the scenes in some of the most celebrated and controversial criminal and civil trials of the past fifty years.As one of the pioneers in the field now known as forensic psychiatry, he interviewed people like Patty Hearst and the Hillside Strangler and consulted with judges and attorneys in hundreds of cases in his illustrious career.After reviewing extensive evidence and interviewing witnesses, Dr. Lunde often served as a key witness in trials involving people like Howard Hughes, who were the subjects of much speculation but few actual factual investigations. As a well-known Stanford psychiatrist, he was able to uncover the reasons why people committed outrageous and sometimes unspeakable acts which shocked their communities and even the world.This book reveals previously unpublished details of the way in which doctors and other professionals go about trying to understand an event and then see that justice is served. One such event discussed is the mass murder/suicide of almost one thousand Americans in a remote South American jungle clearing called Jonestown.This memoir contains stories which are stranger than fiction but that actually happened. They are told by someone who was in a unique position to learn about them and who now shares the experience with the reader.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Lunde was born and raised in Wisconsin but came to Stanford University in 1954 (as did his wife, Marilynn). He spent summers on active duty with the U.S. Navy and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He served as a CIC Officer and member of a military court aboard the flagship USS Yorktown from 1958-61. He returned to Stanford in 1961 and earned a master's degree in psychology in 1964 and his M.D. degree in 1966. An internship in internal medicine was followed by a residency in psychiatry at Stanford Medical Center. In 1969 he was appointed to the faculty in psychiatry, where he taught without interruption for over 25 years. He has had additional faculty appointments at the Stanford Law School and the Program in Human Biology at Stanford. He was also a member of the first successful U.S. heart transplant team in the 1960's and in 1969 published the first paper in history on psychiatric complications of heart transplants. His position in the field of forensic psychiatry was firmly established with the publication of his book Murder and Madness over twenty-five years ago. He has served as a consultant and expert witness for judges and attorneys from Hawaii to Florida on over two hundred cases, some criminal and some civil. In an important First Amendment case, Dr. Lunde was the psychiatrist consultant and expert witness for CBS, Columbia Records, and the British heavy metal rock group, Judas Priest. In this case two families sued, claiming that a Judas Priest recording "induced" their sons to commit suicide. Dr. Lunde and his wife have five sons and thirteen grandchildren. Appropriately enough, they have co-authored a book entitled, The Next Generation: A Book on Parenting. Dr. Lunde's present title is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Emeritus, Stanford University School of Medicine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425977030
• ISBN-13: 978-1425977030
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,252,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( H ) > Hughes, Howard

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, September 25, 2008

By 

K. Cole "starving student" (Waco, TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hearst to Hughes: Memoir of a Forensic Psychiatrist (Paperback)

I can't believe this book isn't more popular. If you're interested in crime or forensic psychology (as I am), you'll love this book. Lunde's writing style is engaging--there's no technical mumbo-jumbo, and the pacing never gets bogged down. There's relatively little about Lunde himself in the book, although he does give readers entertaining glimpses into his opinions on a wide variety of issues, from gun control to the death penalty. In this sense, it is not a traditional memoir. Whether or not you agree with Lunde's opinions, you'll respect his ethics and appreciate his honesty. I was sorry to see this book end!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great memoir both personal and professional, April 5, 2008

By 

Dolores Reid - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hearst to Hughes: Memoir of a Forensic Psychiatrist (Hardcover)

Excellent insight into the Hearst, Hughes and other trials including much information not previously published. Dr. Lunde's insights were on target, and it is wonderful to find a man of such note who had high ethical standards and didn't deviate from them, nor compromise. A great read and a keeper.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Engrossing Memoir, January 20, 2008

By 

Greta Manville - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hearst to Hughes: Memoir of a Forensic Psychiatrist (Paperback)

Dr. Lunde's compelling account of his involvement in many of the most widely publicized criminal cases of the last half of the twentieth century kept my attention riveted to the pages. As Herman Wouk points out in the Preface, the tales do tend to meander--plus a little redundancy--but the book is well worth sticking with to the end. I'm glad Dr. Lunde set the record straight with his first-hand knowledge of cases I followed closely during those years.

Greta Manville, author of mystery/suspense novels