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This book is a collection of fourteen essays on "modern psychoanalytic theorists" whom the editor has judged as going "beyond Freud." If you reduce each paper to its basic point, the common element is that they all claim to bring Freud up to date, expounding on areas that were either out of awareness, not yet developed scientifically, or intentionally neglected. The result is a volume in which the contributions vary markedly in clarity and quality, with some papers admirably adding to psychoanalytic understanding of post-Freudian developments and others being almost beside the point. Five of the papers have little to do with clinical psychoanalysis; Freud is merely a departure point for excursions into the vast wilderness of philosophy. Two slimmer volumes might have been more appropriate, one for the psychoanalyst and one for the philosopher. This single volume is like a buffet set out by an eager chef, in which the innovative and excellent dishes are offered alongside strange and aging leftovers. The result is intellectual indigestion.
It is clear, however, that each author has a deep knowledge of and involvement with his or her subject. The commentaries range from adulatory to mildly critical, with some authors adding to the reader's interest by providing personal background on their subjects. An editorial, historical, and comparative overview would have been most welcome, although it would be a daunting task. Reppen also has decided against including an epilogue, since "it would be presumptuous to speculate as to where psychoanalysis is heading" (p. viii). It is left to the reader to figure out.
There are five outstanding essays. Bowlby, Peterfreund, Kohut, Mahler, and Kernberg are the subjects of well-written, highly informative, appreciative expositions. These chapters can serve as an introduction for the neophyte and as a review for the informed.
Victoria Hamilton presents a beautifully written, moving, and creative study of Bowlby that focuses on "a