"There are few situations in life which are more difficult to cope with than an adolescent son or daughter during the attempt to liberate themselves." This insight comes from Anna Freud, one of the most creative and innovative figures in psychoanalysis. Her groundbreaking contributions to child analysis and development transformed the understanding and treatment of young people.

This essential anthology of her work brings together key writings, including excerpts from her classic The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence and seminal papers on normal and pathological child development, adolescence, trauma, aggression, and analytic technique. Collectively, these writings offer a comprehensive view of her intellectual journey, highlighting the richness, variety, and originality of her thought.

Clifford Yorke, former Medical Director of the Anna Freud Centre in London, praised the collection as "an achievement of the first importance," noting that it "underlines the clarity and cogency of Anna Freud's thinking, [and] makes it accessible to a wide audience."