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The earliest of the essays in Béla Grunberger's New Essays on Narcissism seem, to this American analyst, to follow from his original volume,1 suggesting a rich, leisurely sojourn through the French countryside. I recall vividly a visit to Burgundy, particularly to Vezelay; the town is dominated by its beautiful, towering cathedral, just as the core of all of Grunberger's writings reflects his vision of narcissism. Leading to the cathedral is an ancient stone road up a steep hill, lined by the enthralling edifices of medieval homes and shops. In the ascent to the cathedral, small streets and paths lead off to the side, sometimes bringing the stroller to enclosed courtyards which may contain lovely, well-tended gardens, or may as likely restrain small, rooting farm animals, not unlike the anality of drives which Grunberger perpetually contrasts with narcissism. Some of these paths suddenly open to beautiful, sun-drenched vistas of the green valleys and hills of the Burgundian summertime. These panoramas of the countryside inevitably relate, however, to glimpses of a spire or buttress of the cathedral, as each turn of Grunberger's interest is informed by his engagement with narcissism.