Donald Meltzer has built up a considerable following over many years, both at home and abroad, as a teacher, gifted expositor and original thinker. His wide knowledge of the literature - including Freud - was acknowledged many years ago by Anna Freud herself. But he is a controversial writer, and although his thinking is broadly within the Kleinian tradition, there are many Kleinian analysts who disagree with him in major particulars. Under these circumstances, a well-edited collection of his writings will be welcomed and, since they are arranged chronologically, will help to put the controversy that surrounds him in an historical perspective.