After the underlying theory of defenses had been developed by Sigmund Freud, his daughter Anna elaborated the notion of specific mechanisms of defense and their importance to clinical work. In this book George Vaillant and his colleagues take the next step, moving from the accepted clinical wisdom of the field to the development of a strategy and methodology for systematic scientific study... the book combines methodologic sophistication with clinical relevance, in an all too rare, but immensely appealing integration. Robert Michels, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, Cornell University Medical College Dr. Vaillant has once again pioneered on this subject and offered cutting-edge information in this very relevant clinical area. This book presents new perspectives and insights, making it of significant value to clinicians, educators, and researchers. Pedro Ruiz, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX