Mood Genes describes the hunt to find underlying differences in brain chemistry through genetic research. Barondes intertwines the histories of both scientific discovery and psychiatry.  Readers travel from the first  understanding of genetics in Mendel's garden to the expanding interest in biological psychiatry almost a century later.

Barondes breaks down scientific progress into  basic, understandable parts and uses them to explain his current research on mood disorders.  The aim is not simply to identify the genetic variations which are responsible for mood disorders but to find better ways to manage them.

Mood Genes includes all of the interesting bi-polar families who encouraged Barondes in his research.  Even if some of the technical discussions are too much, the book is still helpful to those dealing with the illness.