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Akhtar, whose target reader is the novice in the field of psychoanalysis, starts from the premise that suffering is necessary for psychic development. The book is an attempt to codify into the grammar of psychoanalysis six sources of suffering: fear, greed, guilt, deception, betrayal, and revenge. The purpose and function of each of these emotions are explored in some breadth and depth, but he immediately establishes that his discussion will focus and will elaborate on the pathological suffering that we come in contact with in the treatment room. The list is neatly divided in half, distinguishing those sources of suffering that beset the sufferer from within—“suffering tolerated” (fear, greed, guilt)—from those aiming outward—“suffering inflicted” (deception, betrayal, revenge).
He refers to Freud in every chapter and also provides examples of current studies in brain science with regard to fear and related mind states. Each section garners the ideas of notable psychoanalytic thinkers to help render good comparative conclusions. This style is natural to Akhtar, who is the author of Comprehensive Dictionary of Psychoanalysis. Attempts at a comprehensive discussion of the particular emotions discussed in this book are made. Akhtar is most engaging when he sticks with the psychoanalytic, and less so when he becomes sociologically and politically polemical. He widens his scope to society in every chapter, raising questions about class and gender, but