This reader brings together a selection of seminal essays by Christopher Bollas such as "the fascist state of mind", "the structure of evil," and "the functions of history" that have established his position as one of the most significant cultural critics of our time. Included are classical papers that represent his psychoanalytical writings such as "the transformational object" and "psychic genera" that have renewed interest in unconscious creative processes as well as two recent essays, "character and interformality" and "the wisdom of the dream" that extend his work on aesthetics and the role of form in everyday life. The collection is aimed at those who are interested in the complexities of life, and the clear, accessible style of the book will make it appealing for anyone interested in the human experience and the human mind.