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THE READER OF THE PROCESS OF PSYCHOANALYTIC THERAPY cannot help but admire and respect its author, Emanuel Peterfreund. The book is, in many senses, a landmark volume. In striking contrast to the dearth of writings on the subject of psychoanalytic validation, Peterfreund boldly and in remarkably straight-forward fashion offers the most comprehensive clinical and theoretical discussion of the topic available in the literature. Rightfully mindful of the near total neglect of issues of confirmation evident in clinical psychoanalytic work, as well as in the pertinent literature, Peterfreund boldly demonstrates the existence of a common failing in this regard and, more importantly, proposes definitive remedies. He is uniquely candid in his critique of the clinical writings of other psychoanalysts, and he offers convincing evidence of the rampant use among clinicians of preformed theoretical constructs, of restricted and prejudiced formulations, of concepts and interpretations that clearly lack support in the material from patients, and of basically meaningless psychoanalytic clichés and intellectualizations. The need for clinical reform is rendered more than evident, and Peterfreund carefully outlines the heuristic approach to classical psychoanalysis as a sound corrective. Furthermore, by presenting specific clinical excerpts, Peterfreund explicitly defines the strategies of psychoanalysis which he is advocating and provides the reader ample opportunity to examine and test out his hypotheses, formulations, and interpretations through his or her own independent assessment. In all, this is a truly unique psychoanalytic effort at clinical definition and precision.