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There is an apocryphal saying that in order to pass the membership examination of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Jaspers' name should be invoked at some stage, preferably being followed by a comment as to the great significance of his General Psychopathology (Jaspers, 1963) and of how much is lost in translation. Underlying these sentiments is the suggestion that Jaspers is held by trainees in a mixture of esteem and uncertainty. Undoubtedly, although its importance is often stressed, the content of General Psychopathology is less widely known, with the length, complexity and discursiveness of the book making it an intimidating work to read and to understand. However, its position as the undisputed bible of phenomenology and psychopathology means it cannot be ignored. Shepherd (1982) reconsidered General Psychopathology in the British Journal of Psychiatry, and other articles testify to the continuing interest which the book arouses among eminent philosopher/psychiatrists (e.g. Spitzer, 1988; Walker, 1988). In contrast, this paper gives a trainee's perspective on Jaspers' work and is intended to be of interest to others who may be reluctant to approach it.

At first sight these three authors may seem an unlikely trio, but in the event their disparate experience and personalities proved to be complementary and the end product of their labours was a coherent and harmonious whole.

At first sight these three authors may seem an unlikely trio, but in the event their disparate experience and personalities proved to be complementary and the end product of their labours was a coherent and harmonious whole.