Table Of Content‘Partfestschrift,parteulogy,partloveletter,ArturoEzquerro’saccountofhismentorship
with John Bowlby – and his own journey to psychotherapeutic manhood – combines
theoretical exposition with vivid anecdote in ways that are readable, personal, engaging
and very real. Like Bowlby himself, his story brings much-needed fresh air into the
sometimes stale world of psychoanalytic discourse. Strongly recommended for all practi-
tioners and students, who will find here a rare amalgam of common sense and
inspiration.’
Prof Jeremy Holmes, MD, FRCPsych, University of Exeter, UK. Author,
John Bowlby and Attachment Theory, and The Search for the Secure Base
‘Arturo Ezquerro brings a contagious enthusiasm for life and relationships which makes
Attachment Theory more real, attractive and palatable. My father would have been
deeply moved by it.’
Sir Richard Bowlby, medical and scientific photographer,
and eldest son of John Bowlby
‘Alabouroflovewhichgivesafascinatinginsightinto themindandideasofthefather
of Attachment Theory.’
Dr Colin Murray Parkes, OBE, MD, FRCPsych, DL. Author,
Bereavement: Studies of Grief in Adult Life
‘This marvellous book weaves the author’s professional journey into an account of his
sixyearsofaffectionatesupervisionwithoneofthegreatdevelopmentalscientistsofthe
twentieth century. Bowlby’s own biographical journey, and his single-minded deter-
mination to define “the nature of the bond” move the narrative along, and move the
readertoo.Thevolumealsogivescompellingnarrativesonthehistoryofpsychoanalysis
and the post-war Tavistock Clinic.’
Dr Sebastian Kraemer, FRCPsych. Honorary consultant child and adolescent
psychiatrist, Tavistock Clinic. Family therapist. Co-editor,
The Politics of Attachment: Towards a Secure Society
‘Reading this book has been a great pleasure and has taken me back 45 years to when
John Bowlby was my tutor at the Tavistock Clinic. I soon realised his warmth and
thoughtfulpassion…ThevolumeisawarmandfaithfultributetoBowlby’slife’swork
and to all those touched by the grip of attachment and separation.’
Dr Marcus Johns, FRCPsych. Psychoanalyst, former Tavistock Clinic’s
consultant, director of the London Child Guidance Training Centre and
editor of the Bulletin of the British Psychoanalytical Society.
‘Arturo Ezquerro has written an eloquent and moving account of the life and thought
ofJohnBowlbywhoserecognitionoftheimportanceofchildhoodattachmenthasnow
become common wisdom, after being met initially with strong resistance in the psy-
choanalytic profession. Of all the fields of scientific enquiry, psychoanalytic theory is
perhapstheonemostaffectedbythepersonalityandexperienceofthepropounder,and
one of the merits of this study is to place Bowlby’s thought intimately within its bio-
graphical and professional contexts. The latter appropriately include the author’s per-
sonal testimony to the quality of Bowlby’s mentorship and, if the most touching
moments in the book are judiciously chosen quotations from patients, this seems very
apt to its subject’s evident ability to listen.’
Prof Michael Bell, English and Comparative Literary Studies, University of
Warwick, UK. Author, The Sentiment of Reality: Truth of Feeling in
the European Novel and H. D. Lawrence: Language and Being
‘Thisvolumebringstolifeagreatmanandhisideasinawaythatthebestofbiographies
can. And while the book is at it, we learn as much about Bowlby’s ideas as about his
warmthandpassionatenature,towhichsomanyofhisstudentsandco-workersbecame
personallyattached.’
Prof Bob Hinshelwood, MD, FRCPsych, Centre for Psychoanalytic
Studies, University of Essex, UK. Author, What Happens in Groups, Research on
the Couch and Psychoanalysis and History
‘A book that, uniquely, combines scholarly erudition with passion; wisdom with com-
passion. It teaches us about the dehumanising effects of dogma and systems and the
healing potential of attachment.’
Dr Paul Mallett, consultant psychiatrist and former Medical Director,
Central and North-West London NHS Foundation Trust
‘A vivid, original and personal account of a great man. John Bowlby’s attachment
theory is now widely known and accepted. What is less well known is the intense
struggle Bowlby had to convince his critics, especially the psychoanalytical establish-
ment, and the hurt this occasioned him. This book gives a highly readable account of
the group and institutional politics surrounding the emergence of the theory, alongside
Bowlby’s own personal relationships and his profound influence on the author. In all
our work, we strive to achieve some form of psychological integration. This book
pulsates with that striving – and achieves it, with respect and love for its subject.’
Dr Morris Nitsun, PhD. Consultant psychologist, and training analyst,
Institute of Group Analysis. Author, The Anti-Group, The Group as an
Object of Desire and Beyond the Anti-Group
‘Arturo Ezquerro has meticulously researched the origins of Attachment Theory and
tracked the course of its development with the same qualities of persistence and rigour
that he learned from John Bowlby, his much-loved mentor. Ezquerro leaves no stone
unturned in an almost detective-like investigation of Bowlby’s biography and sources of
influence, resulting in a story of the first order in which all the pieces eventually come
together.Thisbooktransformsa“theory”intoalivedexperiencethatiscomprehensively
informativeanda pleasure toread.’
Liza Glenn, consultant psychologist, Jungian analyst and senior trainer,
Institute of Group Analysis
‘This book is a masterpiece of clarity: a most readable scholarly exposition of Bowlby
andhisworks.Icanstronglyrecommendittogeneralpractitionersandallprofessionals
in primary care.’
Dr Clare Gerada, director of clinical governance for Primary Care;
medical director, NHS Practitioners Health Programme; and former
president, Royal College of General Practitioners
‘A lovely blend of a personal reminiscence of John Bowlby and a history of how
attachmenttheorydeveloped.ArturoEzquerrogivesrichandprivilegedmemoriesfrom
Bowlby’s family and close colleagues, as well as vivid illustrations from his work as a
child and adolescent psychiatrist and group analyst. The volume raises key questions
about psychoanalysis and its development as a theory of the mind and as a treatment
method. I really did enjoy reading this unique book.’
Dr Gwen Adshead, FRCPsych. Consultant forensic psychiatrist and group analyst.
Co-author, A Matter of Security: Attachment Theory, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
‘This wonderful book is essential reading for everyone whose work is involved with
families. John Bowlby’s attachment theory is portrayed in a very real, moving and
sensitiveway.Ifounditpivotaltomyroleinunderstandingthegriefofparentswhena
child died.’
Jenni Thomas, OBE. Founder, Child Bereavement Trust. Awarded for lifetime
achievement and educational merit, British Medical Association
‘A touching, beautifully crafted, new biographical profile of John Bowlby – inspiring,
eloquent and powerful.’
Carlos Durán, linguist and author
‘A great reading experience which has brought the figure and work of John Bowlby
alive and real in a way I can use in my work. This is a book that no one interested in
Bowlby and attachment will want to be without.’
Dr Ray Haddock, MB ChB, MMedSc, FRCPsych. Consultant medical
psychotherapist, group analyst and systems-centered practitioner and consultant
‘An eminently readable and captivating journey into John Bowlby and the entire field
of attachment – a huge learning experience.’
Jacqueline Fogden, group analyst, psychotherapist and former head-teacher
‘Shrinkunwrapped: Atelling yet affectionate portrait of John Bowlby, theman –a joy
to read.’
Bryan Rimmer, Fleet Street writer
‘Icouldn’tstopreading…Thisbookisanencouragementtobecomeattached,togrow
and to love – a truly uplifting experience.’
Anthony Stone, consultant psychotherapist
‘Encounters with John Bowlby brings to life the context, development and applications of
attachment theory, in a way that is accessible, enjoyable and enlivening.’
Kate White, senior supervisor and teacher, The Bowlby Centre. Editor,
Attachment: New Directions in Psychotherapy and Relational Psychoanalysis
‘This very special book covering Bowlby’s life and work is a timely and delightfully
clear reminder of how crucial attachment research is to both our understanding of
ourselves and the care of future generations. Highly recommended to all professionals
and public, and to those in positions of authority.’
Dr Felicity de Zulueta, FRCPsych. Emeritus consultant psychiatrist in
psychotherapy, former director of the Trauma Unit, South London and
Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and senior clinical lecturer,
King’s College London
ENCOUNTERS WITH JOHN BOWLBY
Encounters with John Bowlby: Tales of Attachment is an insightful, heartfelt and faithful
homage to John Bowlby (1907–1990), the ‘father’ of Attachment Theory. The
book unfolds as a touching and absorbing biographical journey into his life and
work, where Bowlby is portrayed vividly through his individual, family and group
attachment history, as well as his personal and professional development.
This is a thoroughly researched and unique volume: a creative hybrid of scho-
larly erudition and passionately delivered real-life experiences covering the entire
field of attachment. The work is co-constructed from the privileged position of
sitting atthefeetofthefounderofthetheory,drawing onhislifelongresearch and
knowledge. The reader can learn from and identify with stirring, true stories that
illustrate the struggle to become attached, to survive and to grow.
Encounters with John Bowlby will appeal to anyone who is interested in personal
development and relationships. It will be of special interest to mental health and
other healthcare professionals, as well as students undertaking doctoral courses or
attending other courses related to attachment and John Bowlby.
DrArturoEzquerro,aconsultantpsychiatrist,psychoanalyticpsychotherapistand
group analyst, is senior lecturer, assessor and trainer at the Institute of Group Ana-
lysis, and former Head of NHS Medical Psychotherapy Services in Brent, London.
He was supervised by John Bowlby at the Tavistock Clinic (1984–1990) and has
published over 60 articles and book chapters in five languages.
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ENCOUNTERS WITH
JOHN BOWLBY
Tales of Attachment
Arturo Ezquerro
K ~~o~;J~n~~~up
ORKYOR LONDOLNLOONNDDOONN
Y
LONDONANDNEWYORK
Firstpublished2017
byRoutledge
2ParkSquare,MiltonPark,Abingdon,OxonOX144RN
andbyRoutledge
711ThirdAvenue,NewYork,NY10017
RoutledgeisanimprintoftheTaylor&FrancisGroup,aninformabusiness
©2017ArturoEzquerro
TherightofArturoEzquerrotobeidentifiedasauthorofthisworkhasbeen
assertedbyhiminaccordancewithsections77and78oftheCopyright,Designs
andPatentsAct1988.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereprintedorreproducedor
utilisedinanyformorbyanyelectronic,mechanical,orothermeans,now
knownorhereafterinvented,includingphotocopyingandrecording,orinany
informationstorageorretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthe
publishers.
Trademarknotice:Productorcorporatenamesmaybetrademarksorregistered
trademarks,andareusedonlyforidentificationandexplanationwithoutintentto
infringe.
BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationData
AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary
LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData
Names:Ezquerro,Arturo,author.
Title:EncounterswithJohnBowlby:talesofattachment/ArturoEzquerro.
Description:1Edition.|NewYork:Routledge,2017.|Includes
bibliographicalreferencesandindex.
Identifiers:LCCN2016017838|ISBN9781138667631(hardback)|
ISBN9781138667648(pbk.)|ISBN9781315545554(ebook)
Subjects:LCSH:Bowlby,John.|Psychologists--GreatBritain--Biography.|
Attachmentbehavior.
Classification:LCCBF109.B69E972017|DDC150.92[B]--dc23
LCrecordavailableathttps://lccn.loc.gov/2016017838
ISBN:978-1-138-66763-1(hbk)
ISBN:978-1-138-66764-8(pbk)
ISBN:978-1-315-54555-4(ebk)
TypesetinBembo
byTaylor&FrancisBooks
To María, to Arturo and to Ignacio – for making life more
meaningful.
