Music and Madness

This book will have an obvious appeal to those who already know Browne have admired his maverick approach followed his professional career understand the quirks of his personality and the peculiarities of his sense of humour. His audience will include those who have had professional contact with him. For readers who lived through these times Browne s account will spark nostalgic memories of rural Irish childhoods gatherings of family and friends and community music making. It will also recall memories of the rapidly changing attitudes towards as well as the types and forms of psychiatric care in Ireland over half a century prompting questions about the quality and success of the present system. Browne s voice does contribute to the debate about the treatment of mental illness up to twenty years ago. ~Australian Journal of Irish Studies