The recent centennary of the birth of William James lead to many evaluations of his contributions to modern thought. One of these critiques, William James and Psychoanalysis by Norman Cameron, is so full of incorrect appreciation and interpretation that it provoked Foster to attempt an accurate appraisal of James's position in relation to psychoanalysis. Her attempt is a very successful one.

Foster shows that James's interest arose out of deep emotional needs, and that, while appreciating the importance of Freud's discoveries, he elaborated upon them more or less along mystical lines, not unlike some of Jung's extrapolations. This main thesis, along with other interesting and informative points, is well substantiated by numerous passages from James's writings.