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Subtitled 'reflections on the human condition' this book by a psychotherapist specialising in transactional analysis explains the background of these ideas as well as ensuring into a number of other topics such as astrology. TA was invented by Eric Berne, and it is many years since I read his book Games People Play, although listening recently to Mary Miller reintroduced these ideas. The main terms are explained in a glossary and explored in the various short essays beginning with the basic ego states of Parent, Adult and Child, and the importance of such terms as the adapted child, a persona developed in the course of self-preservation and socialisation. This moves on to discuss the giving and receiving of strokes in transactions and the five Adapted Child personality types of Be Perfect, Hurry Up, Please, Try Hard and Be Strong. These can also come in compound forms and will clearly influence the nature of our relationships. The author's introduction to astrology came when a patient arrived with a chart analysis containing information that it had taken her over two years to uncover. She sees this perspective being included in a science of the future, steering a middle way between determinism and choice. In the light of this, her analysis of life stages is very interesting as one is gradually drawn inwards to more contemplative pursuits.