This is not a textbook nor an encyclopedia; rather, it is a collection of papers representing a variety of points of view on contemporary is sues, controversies, and questions about female sexual development. The editor has a point of view, not a point of view as to which of the various authors' positions presented in this book is correct, or even the most useful, but a point of view about the format of such a book; namely, that the definitive answers, and the experts who will provide them, are not yet identified. Therefore, many voices should be heard from different areas of expertise, training, experience, and back ground. Inevitably there are contradictions and disagreements. There should be. Several authors who were asked to provide short discus sions for papers found themselves unable to answer in less than an ad ditional paper. The editor welcomed this response. This is an area full of ancient myths, new discoveries, and alternate perspectives. It is hoped that the book reflects these ambiguities and controversies and that it will stimulate as many questions as it provides answers. You will find represented in this volume, and its forthcoming companion volume on women's sexual experience, authors not gener ally found together between the covers. When useful and where pos sible, a discussion or an addendum to a paper has been included by an author who approaches the subject from a different base of infor mation or experience."

This book, like its companion volume, Women's Sexual Development, is a potpourri of ideas, not campaign literature to promote a particular point of view. The editor agrees with some of her authors and strongly disagrees with others. The "facts" are few, the questions many. The intent of both books is to evoke questions, delay convictions, invite controversy, and plead for opening minds. The examination and ex planation of women's sexual experience has long been the province of men. The "is" and the "oughts" have been hopelessly confused by the investigators' (or exhorters') biases and limited experience, as well as by the use of the male sexual experience as the model for all human sexual experience. Women, at long last, are talking not only to each other, in personal journals and letters, but also in the more formal worlds of academic and scientific publications. The papers in this book come from many sources. Some are aca demic; some are experiential, journalistic, or personal. Several empha size the lack of adequate research and data but address an issue that is just appearing on the surface of contemporary controversy and con cern. Many topics and sources of information are missing."

This book tells in brief the fifty years my in-laws served in Africa as pioneer missionaries and how our life for forty-one years after theirs was different, because of independence of African countries, as well as modernization. I hope it shows the thrill and love we have for Africa and her people. The basic goal in writing this book was to tell our grandchildren and our friends what living in Africa was like and the difference God makes when people follow Him. I wish I had another life to give to Africa.

Psychoanalytic theories of lesbian development epitomize the difficulty in liberating psychoanalysis from the past. Psychoanalytic theory has traditionally adopted a clear position that a lesbian orientation represented some form of psychological abnormality. Thankfully -- but only very recently -- some influential feminist leaders have begun to rethink issues of gender and sexual orientation, removing heterosexuality from its privileged position as normal.

In "Lesbians and Psychoanalysis, " Judith M. Glassgold and Suzanne Iasenza bring together twenty-six of these pioneers in the field of lesbian psychoanalytic theory. Through insightful chapters based on years of clinical experience, each author helps to redefine psychoanalytic theory by reinventing its foundations from an affirmative perspective so that it better represents all peoples.

"Lesbians and Psychoanalysis" addresses several topics of emerging concern including multicultural diversity, self-disclosure, homophobia, transference/countertransference issues, bisexuality, and the changing nature of lesbian sexuality. In addition, the authors examine the influence of stigma on human development. In three sections -- Past, Present, and Future -- the authors in turn critique past theory, discuss current issues in therapy, and describe new directions in theory and practice. This is a book that is sure to appeal not only to members of the psychoanalytic community but also to all those who are interested in gay and lesbian studies, feminism, and psychology.