In his preface, Dr. Sterba proclaims the timeliness of a recapitulation of Freud's theory of the instincts, in the face of the all too familiar assaults made upon it in recent years. With such a militant foreword one might expect a somewhat polemical account of the libido theory, but this is not at all the case.

Actually, this well-condensed work should prove of sound pedagogical value, for it presents the classic findings of the instinct theory with simplicity and a positiveness born of complete conviction. It is not for the relatively uninformed laity, whose rôle as an audience to the controversy is referred to in the preface, nor yet for those qualified to enter the lists as seasoned adversaries. As a simple restatement it will hardly convince those who do not accept the libido theory, nor add to the armament of those who do. In a word, if the author had stated his intention of simply compiling a student's text, one could find as little fault with his purpose as with its execution.