Freud and Psychoanalysis

by Nick Rennison

Pocket Essentials is a dynamic series of books that are concise, lively, and easy to read. Packed with facts as well as expert opinions, each book has all the key information you need to know about such popular topics as film, television, cult fiction, history, and more. Freud was one of the giants of 20th century thought. His ideas have been hugely influential not only in psychology but in all the social sciences and the arts. This looks at Freud's life from his birth in 1856 to his death in Hampstead in 1939. Each of Freud's major works is summarized, his central ideas are explored, and controversies over his methods and practices are examined. Did he, as some recent critics have alleged, turn his back on evidence of genuine child abuse in 1890s Vienna and prefer instead to ascribe it to fantasy and wish fulfilment? What were the reasons behind his terrible quarrel with Carl Gustav Jung? Does his "talking cure" of psychoanalysis actually work?

Genres: Psychology

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Nick Rennison is a writer, editor and bookseller. His books include Sherlock Holmes: An Unauthorised Biography, Robin Hood: Myth, History, Culture, The Bloomsbury Good Reading Guide and 100 Must-Read Historical Novels. He is a regular reviewer of historical fiction for both The Sunday Times and BBC History Magazine.

Reviews

[Бранко · Rating 5 out of 5]

The value of this book lies in the fact that it is very short yet informative. It starts with short biography. Next chapter is Freud’s ideas, divided in four themes, presented chronologically as they appeared in Freuds works as a result of evolution of his theories. This is the best part, somewhat simplified but concise, systematic and very clear.
Next is the list and brief review of Freuds books. Next chapter about real people as his most important patients, that is cases that influenced his theory. Then, list and short biographies of the people connected to Freud and lastly, a chapter on his influence.
A very short yet comprehensive book. Very useful.

[GD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short but all-round decent intro to Sigmund Freud and most of his major works.