Description:This stimulating collection of papers explores the formative influences affecting Bion's emotional and intellectual development. The contributors, coming from the fields of psychoanalysis, group analysis, management consultancy and social science, revisit the origins of Bion's ideas, setting them in the context of his World War I experiences, his contact with Trotter, and his later work with the Tavistock Clinic and psychoanalysis. This is a collection of original and insightful papers which, along with its companion volume Building on Bion: Branches (ISBN 1-84310-711-2), will not only deepen understanding of Bion's contributions to theory and practice, but will also be invaluable to those who work with groups, in both therapeutic and management contexts. Both volumes are also available as a set, ISBN 1-84310-731-7).