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The current psychoanalytic theory of masochism is in a state of disarray, and that disarray is reflected in the contents of this book. The conceptual difficulties in the field add to the disorganization that is often found in edited books and that occurs here. One can tell from the introduction that the editors have done their best to impose organization, but to little avail. As a result, we have here a collection of 12 papers on masochism by eminent psychoanalysts of various theoretical persuasions, each attacking the problem in his or her own way. It makes fascinating, but often redundant and difficult, reading. In this review I will give the reader a brief synopsis and critical evaluation of each chapter. The introduction also contains such a synopsis, only it is noncritical and more comprehensive. Together, they should assist readers deciding just which chapters they wish to read.
The editors' introduction contains the most comprehensive review of theories of masochism contained in the book. Unfortunately, this review was not available to the individual contributors, and as a result most of them begin with their own, briefer, theoretical synopses, most of which can be skipped. Liebert follows the editors' introduction with a historical review of the concept of character. It is a good, if superficial, review, but it is deeply flawed (as, in my opinion, are most historical reviews) by its use of chronology as an organizing structure. It is very difficult to present the history of a concept and at the same time help the reader keep track of all of the nuances and problems connected with the concept as they are currently understood. One wonders why this chapter was included in the first place. The editors' reasoning that the chapter was necessary because masochism is a neurotic character formation as well as a perversion is not persuasive.