This book is about babies and mothers, but also about fathers, adolescents, lovers and others. It's about a child's universe and families, especially mothers, who struggle to survive. Stephen J. Costello, Ph.D., writes with wit and wisdom; he offers his observations with insight and intrigue. He explores, among other themes, eighteen reasons why mothers hate their babies, even as they love them. It's a book of aphorisms intended for everyone because childhood experiences affect us all. Fortunately, they stop us from ever becoming adults. A lecturer in philosophy and psychology (and a former analyst trained in infant observation), Dr. Costello draws on a wealth of material; he shares the reflections of philosophers and psychoanalysts on a subject he clearly finds fascinating. He is of the strong belief that these unique and often controversial thoughts should be read by parents and non-parents alike. His other publications include The Irish Soul: In Dialogue and The Pale Criminal: Psychoanalytic Perspectives. He has several other books forthcoming, including one on the ethics of happiness and another on the philosophy and psychology of lying. He is a member of the Irish Philosophical Society and the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy. Stephen J. Costello lives in Dublin, Ireland.

Verdi veteran Riccardo Muti conducts the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for this production of 'Otello' at the 2008 Salzburg Festival. Stage direction is by Stephen Langridge; soloists include Aleksandrs Antonenko, Marina Poplavskaya and Stephen Costello.

Verdi veteran Riccardo Muti conducts the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for this production of 'Otello' at the 2008 Salzburg Festival. Stage direction is by Stephen Langridge; soloists include Aleksandrs Antonenko, Marina Poplavskaya and Stephen Costello.