This text investigates the clinical application of object relations theory in the treatment of personality disorders originating from developmental failures of the self. James F. Masterson and Ralph Klein, both prominent figures in the field of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, synthesize decades of clinical experience to provide a structured framework for diagnosing and treating borderline, narcissistic, and schizoid personality disorders. The authors argue that these disorders stem from early developmental arrests and propose a specific therapeutic approach focused on the patient's internal object relations and the reactivation of the developmental process within the clinical setting.

Experts in the field of psychoanalysis frequently cite this work as a foundational text for clinicians working with personality disorders. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a strong background in object relations theory to fully grasp the clinical nuances presented.