Thinking about Children

A lifetime of thinking about the nature of the child and the origins of human nature is distilled in this single rich volume. D. W. Winnicott is increasingly recognized as one of the giants of psychoanalysis whose influence, not only in the behavioral sciences but also in literary and cultural studies, continues to grow. He is represented here in the full scope of his insights, observations, and clinical experience.Of the work included, which covers over forty years of his writing, only three essays have previously been published in book form. Ranging from his extraordinarily observant case histories to landmark theoretical advances, Thinking About Children covers issues of enduring interest such as autism, adoption, early infant development, psychosomatic problems, and family relationships. Winnicott’s empathy and wit burst through in each chapter, while his deep understanding of the unity of mother and baby, of mind and body, prefigures some of the newest concepts in medicine and psychology.A comprehensive bibliography of all Winnicott’s writings, together with a helpful introductory analysis of the place of individual concepts in the development of his thought, make this book indispensable to those who know Winnicott’s work and an ideal introduction to those who have not experienced the astonishing clarity and depth of his thought.

Winnicott (1896-1971) was a British pediatrician, psychoanalyst, theorist, and clinician renowned for his theories on child development. His Therapeutic Consultations in Child Psychiatry (Basic, 1971) and others are considered standard works. Here, the editors have compiled over 30 of Winnicott's essays originating as lectures, talks, reports, letters, and papers between 1930 and 1970. According to the book's list of original sources, fewer than ten of the essays have been published elsewhere. The wide range of topics, e.g., sleep refusal, delinquents, skin sensation, adoption, and autism, are related to various stages of development from infancy through early adolescence. Written in nontechnical language and addressing several topics, this book treats subjects with less depth than the author's more focused works. A good overview of Winnicott's observations and thinking for libraries with comprehensive collections in psychoanalysis or child development. Carol R. Nelson, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, Ind. Copyright 1998 Library Journal Reviews