Book excerpt: These lively conversations provide a unique insight into the mind of one of the most original psychoanalysts of our century. The various subjects covered here spread over a wide range of interest, which Michael Eigen talks about with a rich and almost ecstatic flow. He analyzes the madness and psychopathy of our society, and tells us of work with clients and himself. Topics expand to include spirituality, meetings with British and French analysts, psychoanalytic writing, work with trauma and many other areas that go with being alive today and and with the difficulties we share in constituting ourselves as fully human beings. This book provides a wonderful introduction to his writings and for Eigen readers it is a delightfulnand challenging filling out og nuances of his life and work.