What do you think?
Rate this book
The Penguin Freud Reader
Here are the essential ideas of psychoanalytic theory, including Freud's explanations of such concepts as the Id, Ego and Super-Ego, the Death Instinct and Pleasure Principle, along with classic case studies like that of the Wolf Man.
Adam Phillips's marvellous selection provides an ideal overview of Freud's thought in all its extraordinary ambition and variety. Psychoanalysis may be known as the 'talking cure', yet it is also and profoundly, a way of reading. Here we can see Freud's writings as readings and listenings, deciphering the secrets of the mind, finding words for desires that have never found expression. Much more than this, however, The Penguin Freud Reader presents a compelling reading of life as we experience it today, and a way in to the work of one of the most haunting writers of the modern age.
Adam Phillips's marvellous selection provides an ideal overview of Freud's thought in all its extraordinary ambition and variety. Psychoanalysis may be known as the 'talking cure', yet it is also and profoundly, a way of reading. Here we can see Freud's writings as readings and listenings, deciphering the secrets of the mind, finding words for desires that have never found expression. Much more than this, however, The Penguin Freud Reader presents a compelling reading of life as we experience it today, and a way in to the work of one of the most haunting writers of the modern age.
750 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2006
108 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Sigmund Freud
4,416 books8,468 followersDr. Sigismund Freud (later changed to Sigmund) was a neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, who created an entirely new approach to the understanding of the human personality. He is regarded as one of the most influential—and controversial—minds of the 20th century.
In 1873, Freud began to study medicine at the University of Vienna. After graduating, he worked at the Vienna General Hospital. He collaborated with Josef Breuer in treating hysteria by the recall of painful experiences under hypnosis. In 1885, Freud went to Paris as a student of the neurologist Jean Charcot. On his return to Vienna the following year, Freud set up in private practice, specialising in nervous and brain disorders. The same year he married Martha Bernays, with whom he had six children.
Freud developed the theory that humans have an unconscious in which sexual and aggressive impulses are in perpetual conflict for supremacy with the defences against them. In 1897, he began an intensive analysis of himself. In 1900, his major work 'The Interpretation of Dreams' was published in which Freud analysed dreams in terms of unconscious desires and experiences.
In 1902, Freud was appointed Professor of Neuropathology at the University of Vienna, a post he held until 1938. Although the medical establishment disagreed with many of his theories, a group of pupils and followers began to gather around Freud. In 1910, the International Psychoanalytic Association was founded with Carl Jung, a close associate of Freud's, as the president. Jung later broke with Freud and developed his own theories.
After World War One, Freud spent less time in clinical observation and concentrated on the application of his theories to history, art, literature and anthropology. In 1923, he published 'The Ego and the Id', which suggested a new structural model of the mind, divided into the 'id, the 'ego' and the 'superego'.
In 1933, the Nazis publicly burnt a number of Freud's books. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis annexed Austria, Freud left Vienna for London with his wife and daughter Anna.
Freud had been diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923, and underwent more than 30 operations. He died of cancer on 23 September 1939.
In 1873, Freud began to study medicine at the University of Vienna. After graduating, he worked at the Vienna General Hospital. He collaborated with Josef Breuer in treating hysteria by the recall of painful experiences under hypnosis. In 1885, Freud went to Paris as a student of the neurologist Jean Charcot. On his return to Vienna the following year, Freud set up in private practice, specialising in nervous and brain disorders. The same year he married Martha Bernays, with whom he had six children.
Freud developed the theory that humans have an unconscious in which sexual and aggressive impulses are in perpetual conflict for supremacy with the defences against them. In 1897, he began an intensive analysis of himself. In 1900, his major work 'The Interpretation of Dreams' was published in which Freud analysed dreams in terms of unconscious desires and experiences.
In 1902, Freud was appointed Professor of Neuropathology at the University of Vienna, a post he held until 1938. Although the medical establishment disagreed with many of his theories, a group of pupils and followers began to gather around Freud. In 1910, the International Psychoanalytic Association was founded with Carl Jung, a close associate of Freud's, as the president. Jung later broke with Freud and developed his own theories.
After World War One, Freud spent less time in clinical observation and concentrated on the application of his theories to history, art, literature and anthropology. In 1923, he published 'The Ego and the Id', which suggested a new structural model of the mind, divided into the 'id, the 'ego' and the 'superego'.
In 1933, the Nazis publicly burnt a number of Freud's books. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis annexed Austria, Freud left Vienna for London with his wife and daughter Anna.
Freud had been diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923, and underwent more than 30 operations. He died of cancer on 23 September 1939.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 21, 2009
There are a few essays in this new edition with very good translation of Freud's original works specially:'On the introduction of Narcissism' , 'Beyond the Pleasure Principle', and ' From the History of an Infantile Neurosis'...
I truly wish that my fellow Iranian could read and know more about his works.
I truly wish that my fellow Iranian could read and know more about his works.
September 17, 2021
A comprehensive introduction to Freud and his foundational psychoanalytic theory. It does not include central Freudian texts about art, society and culture, which would allow the reader to have a better grasp of psychoanalysis as a general anthropological theory of human action.
August 26, 2021
Good collection of Freudian theories - some of which excel in content while others are far from convincing. Impressive how much of psychology he was able to foretell, but his controversies are somewhat less surprising. When it comes to Freud, I'd say definitely focus on the fundamentals, lest it is too easy to discard the whole in the name of some details that cannot have a place in our modern conceptions of the psyche.
Read (*: of note)
- Outline of Psychoanalysis*
- Splitting of the Ego in Defence Processes
- Letter to Romain Rolland
- Constrictions in Analysis
- Fetishism
- Negation*
- Note on the 'Magic Notepad'
- 'Psychoanalysis' and 'Libido Theory'*
- Beyond the pleasure principle*
- From the history of an infantile neurosis*
Other articles remain (pg. 227 onwards).
Read (*: of note)
- Outline of Psychoanalysis*
- Splitting of the Ego in Defence Processes
- Letter to Romain Rolland
- Constrictions in Analysis
- Fetishism
- Negation*
- Note on the 'Magic Notepad'
- 'Psychoanalysis' and 'Libido Theory'*
- Beyond the pleasure principle*
- From the history of an infantile neurosis*
Other articles remain (pg. 227 onwards).
August 6, 2023
this is my first real experience with freud outside of english class and i enjoyed it very much! a very well selected choice, a mix of essays and case studies exploring a variety of freud's key ideas. i feel like i have a good basis in the theories now, and coming from the man himself they're a lot more convincing than the somewhat botched version that comes filtered through culture. i'm wanting to read more now, particularly his work on dream analysis.
January 26, 2020
well presented, does what it says on the tin innit
September 12, 2020
Does what it says on the tin.
March 23, 2018
A long time ago, I was thinking, that I should go through the whole Freud writings chronologically, then I've discovered this book, fortunately, and I'm in the middle of it. I highly recommend it, great new translations and brilliant intro by Adam Phillips.
April 19, 2015
I hear many times about the idea that Freud had regarding all neurosis stems from sexual dysfunction, and that because of this thought, he is a quack. Well, most are unaware that three years after publishing the essay regarding neurosis and sexual dysfunction, Freud withdrew his belief and gave a more rational explanation. Anyway, Freud is still the father of modern psychology, and I deeply enjoy his words and he traverses the consciousness and subconsciousness of individuals and humanity... I highly recommend this book.
Read
November 13, 2023I was overly critical of Freud before I read this. Made the mistake of making fun of him because that was what other people were doing, read a lot *about* him instead of his actual work. Don’t make that mistake. Read the thing.
April 10, 2025
ADAM PHILLIPS IS THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE POST 50+ BRACKET. AN INSPIRING CHOICE OF FREUDS FINEST ESSAYS. MOURNING AND MELANCHOLIA BRINGS A TEAR TO MY GLASS EYE ALWAYS.
ALWAYS BE SURE TO HAVE A PENCIL @ HAND BEFORE OPENING THIS ONE
BRAVO
ALWAYS BE SURE TO HAVE A PENCIL @ HAND BEFORE OPENING THIS ONE
BRAVO
February 18, 2022
I hate this man & it is a hope of mine to never have to do a class on him again
November 5, 2025
Should’ve went into stand up
August 17, 2025
Logging the essays “Negation”, “Note on the Magic Notepad” and “Beyond the Pleasure Principle” now before having read all of this - just this morning realizing the value in preserving the historical sequence of readings on here.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews