Psychoanalytic treatment is an ideal medium for exploring the basis of the maladaptive interpersonal patterns and distorted identity found in personality disorders. Kernberg discusses these disorders in terms of the development of meanings and defenses; from this foundation, he proceeds to the difficult task of linking explanation to specific treatment techniques. His work deserves close attention, and I recommend this volume to psychoanalytic colleagues.

Kernberg uses what happens in clinical sessions to illuminate and explain his revisions of psychoanalytic ego psychology theory. These theoretical revisions are then used to suggest new approaches to treatment, specific to different personality disorders. He emphasizes technique as needing to be varied in work with the narcissistic to borderline spectrum of character and temperament.