UNDERSTANDING YOUR TEENAGE BOY

It is not easy to be good-natured about this book. The basic provocation occurs when the reader discovers that ""William J. George is the pseudonym of a Catholic psychologist and counselor."" One is taken aback that the author, since he is writing within the limits of a field where, presumably, he is competent, does not care to sign his name to his work. But then, upon reading the book, one understands all: no psychologist in his right mind would sign his name to it. The book comprises thirty-seven chapters, divided loosely into ""Home Situations,"" ""Social Situations,"" ""School Situations,"" ""Family Situations,"" and a catch-all ""Situations Not Discussed Specifically."" Each division rambles through a few oversimplified case histories haphazardly connected by a few lines of text, the whole of which, in addition to being irritatingly patronizing, is a study in superficiality. For example, the adult male not too far removed from adolescence will recall his most persistent preoccupation during that period: sex. Yet, Mr. George thinks the subject worth only about a thousand words -- most of them devoted to the problem of Chuck, who liked girlie magazines. And so forth for the other ""problems"" and ""solutions."" Heaven preserve parents from pseudonymous psychologists. Not recommended.