This introduction serves as an explanation of why and for what purposes this book was created, and why the concept of the self and the modality of cultural history is so vitally important to the profession of psychology and to the country as a whole. Each chapter consists of either a published article or professional speech and a brief introduction that historically situates the text; the importance of the prologue will be explained as well as the overall sequence of the chapters and trajectory of the book. My dedication to providing a historical perspective includes not only a historical approach to psychology’s theories and practices, but also to a historical approach to the my written work about those theories and practices.