Psychoanalysis and the Law: By C. G. Schoenfeld, L.L.B., L.L.M. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C Thomas, 1973. 285 pp.

C. G. Schoenfeld is a lawyer, and his book is intended primarily, although not exclusively, for lawyers. His purpose is to show that

the knowledge of some basic psychoanalytic ideas may contribute to the solution of certain legal problems. He is careful to specify that the psychoanalytic contribution can never be more than one of several elements in a legal problem, and he is aware of the limited effect that intellectual knowledge alone can have.

The legal issues he addresses are those which seem likely to interest lawyers, such as constitutional law. For example, on the basis of substantial historical evidence, he suggests that one factor which has led to judicial review of legislative statutes is the regressive wish for parental supervision evoked by the trauma of the Civil War. Legal problems which have been of special interest to psychoanalysts, such as privileged communications, procedures governing adoption, and involuntary commitment are not discussed.

Psychoanalysts who are especially interested in the law or in the general problem of the application of psychoanalytic ideas to other fields might find it interesting to learn how this author has applied them.