"Kegan acknowledges a debt to Piaget, Kohlberg, and the psychoanalytic object-relations theorists. He regards
his theory as a synthesis and extension of their views, resulting in a developmental theory that presents a unified
conceptualization of affective, cognitive, and moral development. Individual chapters are devoted to each of six
developmental stages--their growth and loss. The last chapter explores the implications of the theory for psychotherapy
and for implementing growth in everyday life...The theory is elegant...There is much food for thought and many
hypotheses for research in Kegan's book. If one has not appreciated the importance of meaning-making as a central
concept in personality theorizing, the book might even propel one into the next stage. More likely, the reader
will...obtain some important new insights. All in all I recommend the book highly."
--Seymour Epstein, Contemporary Psychology
"Kegan's great contribution is his description of the powers and difficulties entailed in each of these
bases for conducting relations with self and others and his systematizing of considerations involved in changing
from one basis to another...Kegan's is indeed a provocative contribution!"
--Guy E. Swanson, American Journal of Education
"Replete with literary allusions and personal anecdotes, this scholarly and appealing discourse represents
a fascinating appraisal of the evolution of the self, devoting particular attention to the role of environmental
forces which may have crucial impact on the individual. It evaluates, compares, and contrasts the contributions
of Piaget, Erikson, Freud, Kohlberg, and others in a refreshing and informative fashion. Written by a clinician,
the book also proposes a thought-provoking metatheory of therapy and considers the topic of depression from an
evolutionary orientation. [This work is] well articulated and comprehensive in scope."
