Perhaps he's not as familiar with online support forums, websites, etc. Also, that book is written by one of the leading experts on BP, and she also has BP1. Perhaps your psychiatrist thinks that the book is a more "trustworthy" source of information than things posted online. I don't exactly agree, since the memoir is extremely subjective and is restricted to Redfield-Jamison's life story.

Personally, I couldn't relate all that much, and didn't think that the book helped me understand anything about my BP. It didn't even give me that much hope -- many people with BP don't even have access to the kind of support network, wealth, social advantages, mentors, etc. that Redfield-Jamison had. I'm not saying this to criticize the author, but rather to point out the book's limitations as being a panacea for all people with BP who want to understand their symptoms. Much of the book is about the author's life and background, and I simply couldn't empathize because I don't have the kind of resources that the author did.

In short, if you're already familiar with good resources regarding understanding + coping with BP, I don't think it's necessary for you to read that book. It's definitely not in my top-15 list of books for dealing with BP.