The Empty Fortress: Infantile Autism and the Birth of the Self

by Bruno Bettelheim

Evaluating the lifestyles, struggles, and dehumanization of children with Autism over the years, University of Chicago professor Bruno Bettelheim provides insight on the life of these children from the perspectives of what can and cannot be seen.

Focusing on three case histories, The Empty Fortress provides an introduction to the problems and struggles that an autistic child faces during their early years.

One of the most popular books in communicating the theory of psychogenesis, Bruno Bettelheim presents both a scientific and personal analysis of autism.

Genres: Psychology, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, Medicine, Science

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Bruno Bettelheim (1903-1990) was an Austrian-born American child psychologist and writer. He gained an international reputation for his views on autism and for his claimed success in treating emotionally disturbed children.

Reviews

[Cornelia]

Bruno Bettelheim was a lying misogynistic sack of shit who caused pain and suffering to countless families desperate for help for their children.

Please don't believe a word the man wrote, especially on the topic of autism.

If you want to know why I hate him in detail, see my review of this execrable book at:

http://www.epinions.com/book-review-3...

If he were not already dead, I would be sorely tempted to remedy the situation. As it is, I yearn to dig him up from his grave so I can hit him over the head with my shovel post-mortem.

[Arseny Khakhalin]

This book is so severely outdated, that it has become interesting and important again. Have you ever heard about this old school in psychology and psychiatry that deducted all psychiatric problems people have in their life from their early experience? That school that linked autism to the way parents _thought_ about their kids while they were pregnant; from they way they _looked_ at them when they were one month old? Well - that's the book! Autism meets psychoanalysis.

Since then this "theory" was debunked entirely and completely, but before it happened thousands of parents were taught to think that all the problems their kids have are their, parents' fault. And thousands of kids were taught to hate their parents for incorrect nursing and potty training that allegedly screwed their lives forever.

That's a great book if you need to feel a bit of righteous anger. And a very important historical source.

[Peterv]

Interesting if only for when it was written. Psychoanalysis and Autism, the twain should not meet?

[Claudio Valverde]

Si bien no he leido otras textos sobre la mima problemática lo considero, dentro de un determinado abordaje ( psicoanaltico por cierto) como un estudio exhaustivo de esta problemática sobre la cual si duda no está todo dicho. Es un texto para mi apasionante, con rigor científico y por momentos sumamente conmovedor..

[Barbara Spurll]

Fascinating and contoversial book on autism. Bettelheim uses three case studies of autistic children in his clinic's care to discuss largely the nurture part of the equation when it comes to autism. Sounds kind of dry, doesn't it? I couldn't put it down.

[Irene Tanzman]

I read this book because I am doing research for the historical fiction that I am currently writing. The book is pure garbage written by a charlatan. However, it has historical value, and is important for anyone writing about when the medical community believed that poor parenting caused autism.

[Vicky]

Un livre intéressant si nous le replaçons dans son contexte et son époque ...

[Aaron Schuschu]

Been meaning to read it for a while. How somebody could be so dense and yet so perceptive about people at the same time- like most people- is frustratingly true.

[Lois]

An antiquated view but the first book I read on the subject.

[Lintel]

The harsh criticisms have to ignore all of the exquisite gentleness and care that pours from this book. Extremely touching.

[Grappa]

Testo illuminante di un autore ingiustamente ostracizzato perché scomodo a chi detiene il potere in famiglia.

[Andrea Bertaccini]

Voto: 9/10

[Noebonaerense90]

No sé que valor científico tengan los postulados de Bettelheim, pero es un testimonio de su paciencia y devoción a los niños autistas. El último apartado donde compara con Piaget, es muy interesante.