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War and Children
Librarian Note: War and Children was written by Anna Freud (sixth child of Sigmund Freud) and her longtime friend and associate Dorothy Burlingham, based on their experiences in some of WWII's War Nurseries. The following is a letter included in the book, and the closest thing to a synopsis I could find.
"The Foster Parents' Plan for War Children has been working with children since 1936 when Spain's children were subjected to bombardments. Later we worked in France caring for French, Polish, Dutch and Belgian children. When France fell we took up our work in England.
More than 20,000 cases of children have been studied by our staff members since our work began ; at no time have we had any work to compare with the book, War and Children By Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham.
Miss Freud and Mrs. Burlingham direct three wartime nurseries in England for the Foster Parents' Plan. The material for the book was gathered at the nurseries, which are maintained by voluntary contributions from America.
War and Children is an outstanding contribution in the field of psychology and is as valuable to those working with children on the home front as it is to those working with children in actual bombed areas.
It is a record of children in modern war told honestly and completely, by two of the world's outstanding child psychologists."
EDNA BLUE, Executive-Chairman
Foster Parents' Plan for War Children, Inc.
"The Foster Parents' Plan for War Children has been working with children since 1936 when Spain's children were subjected to bombardments. Later we worked in France caring for French, Polish, Dutch and Belgian children. When France fell we took up our work in England.
More than 20,000 cases of children have been studied by our staff members since our work began ; at no time have we had any work to compare with the book, War and Children By Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham.
Miss Freud and Mrs. Burlingham direct three wartime nurseries in England for the Foster Parents' Plan. The material for the book was gathered at the nurseries, which are maintained by voluntary contributions from America.
War and Children is an outstanding contribution in the field of psychology and is as valuable to those working with children on the home front as it is to those working with children in actual bombed areas.
It is a record of children in modern war told honestly and completely, by two of the world's outstanding child psychologists."
EDNA BLUE, Executive-Chairman
Foster Parents' Plan for War Children, Inc.
- GenresPsychologyNonfiction
191 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 1973
About the author
Anna Freud
379 books136 followersNoted Austrian-British psychoanalyst Anna Freud applied to child therapy.
Anna Freud, the sixth and last of Sigmund Freud and Martha Freud, followed the path of her father and contributed to the new field. Compared to her father, Freud's work emphasized the importance of the ego, and its ability to be trained socially.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Freud
Anna Freud, the sixth and last of Sigmund Freud and Martha Freud, followed the path of her father and contributed to the new field. Compared to her father, Freud's work emphasized the importance of the ego, and its ability to be trained socially.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Freud
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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May 13, 2026Igual que Ari, me he leído el apartado de efectos normales y anormales para el examen de emoción. Who knows igual en un futuro me lo leo entero
July 11, 2026
From the foreword:
How to even argue!
Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham, along with their collaborators and trainees, were doing incredible work in looking after children while doing their best to preserve family unity during World War 2, in the midst of bombing and evacuations. Their focus was obviously oriented to helping children process incredible stress and trauma while also living through it themselves, on top of the regular everyday labor of childcare and education.
Their observations are very much of their time, but by no means any less valuable. Despite the slight lack of scientific rigor in the writing, in reading this and the clarity in the description of children's behavior, it's extremely easy to trace the genealogy of many later and current theories in child psychology and psychopathology, such as the critical period for development, attachment theory, comfort/transitional objects, C-PTSD, of course the Oedipal complex, relational therapy, parental ambivalence, among many others.
I was quite frankly blown away at the importance and scope of the work contained in this very small (and hard to find) book. I think it's underrated in the field, and am so glad I read it.
Miss Freud and Mrs. Burlingham direct three wartime nurseries in England for the Foster Parents' Plan. The material for the book was gathered at the nurseries, which are maintained by voluntary contributions from America.
War and children is an outstanding contribution in the field of psychology and is as valuable to those working with children on the home front as it is to those working with children in actual bombed areas.
It is a record of children in modern war told honestly and completely, by two of the world's outstanding child psychologists.
How to even argue!
Anna Freud and Dorothy Burlingham, along with their collaborators and trainees, were doing incredible work in looking after children while doing their best to preserve family unity during World War 2, in the midst of bombing and evacuations. Their focus was obviously oriented to helping children process incredible stress and trauma while also living through it themselves, on top of the regular everyday labor of childcare and education.
Their observations are very much of their time, but by no means any less valuable. Despite the slight lack of scientific rigor in the writing, in reading this and the clarity in the description of children's behavior, it's extremely easy to trace the genealogy of many later and current theories in child psychology and psychopathology, such as the critical period for development, attachment theory, comfort/transitional objects, C-PTSD, of course the Oedipal complex, relational therapy, parental ambivalence, among many others.
I was quite frankly blown away at the importance and scope of the work contained in this very small (and hard to find) book. I think it's underrated in the field, and am so glad I read it.
April 17, 2021
Vivid descriptions of young children and their personal reactions to wartime conditions that, by necessity, separated them from their primary caregivers. Describes how and which children can be more vulnerable to separation anxieties.
Laid out in short digestible and quick-reference chapters.
This book is a delight. I am glad I found it.
It is uniquely valuable, both for its accessibility and, I think, for its breadth of readership. Child therapists, pediatricians, adult therapists/analysts, careworkers, parents, and even politicians, have much to gain.
One quote about the silent or avoidant child who does not talk of an obvious loss (e.g. a bombing or missing parent):
"The child begins to talk about the incident when the feelings which were aroused by it have been dealt with in some other manner."
Laid out in short digestible and quick-reference chapters.
This book is a delight. I am glad I found it.
It is uniquely valuable, both for its accessibility and, I think, for its breadth of readership. Child therapists, pediatricians, adult therapists/analysts, careworkers, parents, and even politicians, have much to gain.
One quote about the silent or avoidant child who does not talk of an obvious loss (e.g. a bombing or missing parent):
"The child begins to talk about the incident when the feelings which were aroused by it have been dealt with in some other manner."
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May 8, 2026tan solo he leído el fragmento de efectos normales y anormales para la uni. me ha parecido súper interesante y me encantaría explorar el tema y leerlo completo en un futuro!
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