TED DROZDOWSKI's review

[dr.alters-wizardsway@xxxxxxx]

Dear Scott,

This e-mail is in support of your book and the reply to Ted Drozdowski.  I have 
read the book.  It is a fascinating account with significant insights into LW's 
music.  This helped advance my musical skills.  Thank you for clarifying many 
of the musical problems that have baffled even highly trained professional 
musicians.

Mr. Drozdowski's plea for a more emotional view of LW is understandable due to 
the charismatic Blues Man appeal.  The issue is that you did cover it 
eloquently.  You reiterated your findings in your reply that he was an 
individual who was expressive through his music.  Any other opinion would be 
speculative. 

You and your colleagues took an ethical approach.  You did not speculate or 
practice a remote form of pseudo-psychiatric assesment.   This could have 
romanticized the book.  It would have led to inaccurate speculation in printed 
form.  Others are now free to speculate as Mr. Drozdowski has done on the 
possibile etiologies for LW's problems. That is a successful result. In essence 
you provided the structure for others to exercise their imagination. His 
criticism can be viewed as a challenge to others to write another book that 
hopefully would factually cover his questions. From the depth of your research 
that does not seem possible. 

I am a board certified psychiatrist. Any other approach to your fine work would 
be unethical and pandering.  This is unfortunately a part of our culture.  How 
many times have we seen mental health professionals rendering public opinions 
to the press on individuals that THEY NEVER INTERVIEWED OR EVEN WORSE BREAKING 
CONFIDENTIALITY ON A CELEBRITY CASE TO GARNER FAME FOR THEMSELVES.  

Thank you for sparing us such trivial gossip.  Remaining factual and for your 
ethical values.

Sincerely,

Dennis "Doc" Alters, MD