A Hundred Years of Psychology (1833–1933): By J. C. Flügel, University College, London. New York: Macmillan Company, 1933. 362 p.

This medium-sized book contains a complete history of psychology from the time of Aristotle to the present. It is avowedly an epitome and by no means intended to take the place of more exhaustive works on the subject. The author shows unusual powers for condensation and clarity and wherever the material permits, the presentation has a freshness and zest which give a pleasure in reading reminiscent of the writings of William James. In spite of the comprehensiveness of subject matter, the book is much more than a simple outline. At no apparent sacrifice of factual material, there is room left for comparative and critical consideration of psychological science at its various stages, intimate glimpses of the leading personalities identified with it, and a constant orientation between psychology and human affairs in general.

The volume is in four parts with a total of thirty-nine chapters arranged for easy reading and ready reference. Part I outlines the field of psychological knowledge available for an imaginary student beginner in 1833, and the probable state of mind of this pioneer in mental science as he familiarized himself with what little was already known and contemplated the uncharted regions which lay ahead. The other three sections cover respectively the periods 1830–1860; 1860–1900; and 1900 to the present. The author draws an anthropomorphic parallel which if accepted will be a bit chastening to the more complacent of contemporary psychologists, not excepting psychoanalysts. Psychology in 1833, he says, may be compared to an embryo conceived and under way but hidden from the world of men. Today it is like a year-old child, lusty and with promise that it will grow up to compare with its more adult brothers and sisters in science. At present it is full of vigorous though often ill-directed activities and shows signs of beginning to walk and talk, but most of its development is still to come.

Professor Flügel has made this compact work so much of a revi