Erik Erikson has been described as 'probably the most significant post-Freudian thinker' with a 'unique and profound vision'. Al Gore was his student, Bill Clinton a great admirer. Getting to grips with his complex ideas however is no easy task. This book provides a comprehensive and in-depth road map to Erikson's work and is ideal for all students of Psychology. Stevens lucidly and authoritatively analyses his ideas about childhood development, adolescence, identity, the life cycle and his psychobiographical studies of Luther and Gandhi. This penetrating critique of Erikson's work reveals how relevant his ideas are today.