Erik Erikson's Verbal Portraits - by Donald Capps (Hardcover)

About the Book

In Erik Erikson's Verbal Portraits: Luther, Gandhi, Einstein, Jesus, Donald Capps contends that Erikson's portraits of respective historical figures make a highly creative contribution to psychoanalytic discourse.

Book Synopsis

In Erik Erikson's Verbal Portraits: Luther, Gandhi, Einstein, Jesus, Donald Capps contends that Erikson's portraits of respective historical figures make a highly creative contribution to psychoanalytic discourse.

Review Quotes

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.


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.


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.

About the Author

Donald Capps, PhD, is emeritus professor of pastoral theology and adjunct professor at Princeton Theological Seminary.