Bastian is not your regular run-off the mill doctor. He is smart as a whip, deeply intuitive, and equipped with an incisive mind that questions the different mental ailments that assail humans. His patients are as diverse as he is, ranging from a loving school teacher, to a whizz kid, to even a divorcee. One common thread that binds them is their addiction to different substances and their futile search for liberation. Together, doctor and patients work to find a definite solution to their problems of addiction. Simply put, this is the subject of this book.

Six Rings is a book interested in analyzing the complexities of the brain, as well as identifying the various changes substance addiction makes to the neural pathways. The brain takes centre stage, and apart from providing insight to aid in the understanding of addictions, enormous effort is put into analyzing the different strategies that can be employed to develop the brain. The author understands that much in the same way the muscles can be exercised and kept in top shape, the brain can be too. This book not only describes the possibility of that happening, but it also shows how it can be done. It goes beyond that. This book offers insight into how addictive diseases can be treated with a combination of psycho-social therapy and medication. In this, it stands unique, being one of the very few books to handle addictions as a disease and hence treatable. The focus is not just on medicine. There is a rich interplay between emotions, history, genetics, expectations and the various modalities of treatment. The nuances and complexities associated with the treatment of patients with addictive diseases are extrapolated. It shuns the temptation of making addictions seem like some phase that could be cured with pep talks and therapy. It unravels the complexities associated with the disease, making for better comprehension, both for the patients, their doctors, family and friends.

Prof. Dr. Bankole Johnson brings his extensive knowledge in forensic psychiatry, molecular genetics, and computational mathematics to bear. You need only look at the number of referenced texts, attached links, and journal articles to be convinced of the amount of work that has gone into this book. Make no mistake; this is not a book filled with hogwash and half-truths. The writer is a seasoned academic and is aware of the deceptive power of wrong information, so, he provides empirical evidence for each assertion, going beyond drawing from his wealth of knowledge on the field.

The message of the book is deceptively simple. It provides in-depth education to the listener without making it obvious. The simple language, the wit, and ordinariness of the characters make this book an interesting and compelling listen. Furthermore, since it is garbed in fiction, it slowly draws the listener in, painting pictures that are at once familiar and relatable. It is excellent in that it lacks the drudgery of most scientific texts because the author prioritizes communication, discarding obfuscation and highfalutin words. The layout of the book is superb, with each chapter beginning with a painting which somehow ties into the narrative for that chapter, adding an aesthetic appeal to the book.

In a concise and compelling manner, Prof. Dr. Bankole Johnson identifies drug addictions for the mental disease that it is. His characters navigate the changes it makes to their lives and eventually get help. For anyone struggling with any addictive substance abuse, this book is a must-listen. Also, for people who are interested in understanding the complexities of the brain and improving their brain health, as well as those looking to help their loved ones who suffer an addiction, this book is invaluable. Six Rings is an urgent book with an urgent message.