Capps is on form. Much like Erikson’s work in his own time, Capps delivers a new way of looking at things ‘already familiar.’ Readers will not be disappointed. These beautiful and articulate depictions of Erikson’s verbal portraits give us a new way of looking at the ‘already familiar’ life and achievements of Erikson as a portraitist. I have never seen Erikson in this way before. I admire and deeply enjoy what this book accomplishes.

- Kate Miriam Loewenthal, emeritus, University of London,

Erik Erikson put the word ‘identity’ on the map of modern vocabulary, in part because he had his own struggles with identity. Having given up his dream of becoming an artist, Erikson reclaimed this aspect of himself by means of ‘verbal portraits.’ In this remarkable book, Capps demonstrates the ongoing relevance of Erikson’s [portraits] of inspiring individuals and, in so doing, inspires us all.

- Nathan Carlin, PhD, University of Texas Medical School, Houston,

Donald Capps does in this book for Erik Erikson what Erikson does in his quartet of 'verbal portraits.'  He offers a way of looking at his subject that is richly illuminating because it is informed by his own longstanding personal engagement with one of the towering psychoanalysts of the mid-twentieth century.

- Peter L. Rudnytsky, University of Florida and the Florida Psychoanalytic Institute,