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This well-known book is devoted to a subject which has hitherto received but little attention either from the psycho-analyst or from the academic psychologist, and for this reason, if for no other, will probably occupy a significant place in the history of psychology as a pioneer work in a field of much interest and importance. It is a study of the author's own day dreams and mind-wanderings, for the observation of which he has through practice acquired a special dexterity and has to some extent developed a special technique. It is a book which (partly perhaps because of the method of presentation adopted) is difficult to review or summarise in a limited space, and no attempt will therefore be made here to deal with the 'series of important discoveries' in which, according to Prof. Freud (who contributes a preface) the author's labours have resulted.
We will only say that the author believes that, besides possessing a cathartic function which they have in common with night dreams, day dreams are also of use in the service of adaptation to reality. Thus there are recorded 'a good number of instances of assistance which our conscious self gets from our affective thinking: it prepares its plans for the future, composes the text of letters to be written, devises means and arguments for prospective discussions, warns me that I am in the wrong train, that I should not miss an appointment, puts forgotten memories at my disposal at the very moment that I want them most—facts which … hint at an unconscious ego that watches over our safety when our waking thoughts are busy elsewhere'. 'Like nocturnal dreams, day dreams betray preoccupations with unsolved problems, harassing cares, or overwhelming impressions which require accomodation, only their language is not as sybilline as that of their unconscious correspondents. Moreover, their end-representation is often of a