"W. W. Meissner combines a comprehensive account of the evolution of Freud's thought with a synthesis of contemporary psychoanalytic theory that includes the contributions of Margaret Mahler and Erik Erikson, as well as those of Heinz Hartmann, Heinz Kohut, Otto Kernberg, Ronald Fairbairn, Donald Winnicott, and Anna Freud.".

"Dr. Meissner details the development of psychoanalytic theory, tracing its evolution from the earliest stages of Freud's thinking to recent developments such as ego psychology, object relations theory, and self psychology. A chapter on psychoanalytic therapy completes this volume.".

"The only contemporary work on Freud and the field he founded written by a psychoanalytic psychiatrist, this will appeal to everyone interested in Freud or intellectual history - therapists, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, medical students, collegiate, graduate, and divinity students and professors, as well as the general public."--BOOK JACKET.