Editorial

It was with the deepest pleasure and appreciation that I accepted the editorship of the Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis. However, I would be less than candid if I did not admit that this sense of pride and satisfaction was mixed with a good deal of apprehension and doubt regarding my ability to carry on the tradition of excellence established by the Journal's former editors: Silvano Arieti and Morton Cantor. Fortunately, my fears have been diminished greatly by Mort's agreeing to stay on, officially, as consulting editor and, unofficially, as trusted counsel and mentor who will continue to guide the future direction of the Journal. It is my hope that the principles and values of Silvano, the founding editor, will also be evident in forthcoming volumes.

Both Silvano and Mort worked hard to create a publication of the highest quality, free from dogmatic or restrictive interpretation of psychoanalysis, that welcomed worthy manuscripts from authors of all persuasions and professions. As a measure of their accomplishments and foresight, it may be worthwhile to look back at our first issue which appeared in the spring of 1973. It is a slim volume, of barely over 100 pages, with a small, if select, editorial board. In those days, no one knew if yet another psychoanalytic journal would prosper: whether there would be sufficient subscribers or if there would be enough good manuscripts submitted to insure a first rate publication. Today, the Journal has nearly doubled its size, regularly runs about three issues ahead of schedule in accepted manuscripts and receives subscription requests from throughout the world. Yet, if one looks at the first issue mentioned above, the secret of the Journal's achievements becomes readily apparent. In a simple, direct editorial introducing this new publication, Silvano listed the aims and purposes of the Academy as outlined in its constitution and promised to adhere to them. These principles are worth restating here:

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