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The Freud/Jung Letters
s/t: The Correspondence Between Sigmund Freud & C.G. Jung
This abridged edition makes the Freud/Jung correspondence accessible to a general readership at a time of renewed critical and historical reevaluation of the documentary roots of modern psychoanalysis. This edition reproduces William McGuire's definitive introduction, but does not contain the critical apparatus of the original edition.
This abridged edition makes the Freud/Jung correspondence accessible to a general readership at a time of renewed critical and historical reevaluation of the documentary roots of modern psychoanalysis. This edition reproduces William McGuire's definitive introduction, but does not contain the critical apparatus of the original edition.
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
36 people are currently reading
1716 people want to read
About the author
Sigmund Freud
4,433 books8,482 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.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 19, 2015
Having read most of Jung and much of Freud, I snapped this up at the time of publication. As a work of editors, it is excellent, being complete at the time of its publication. As representative of the persons of Freud and Jung it was no more disappointing than expected. Even the greatest figures seem small in their personal affairs.
But, of course, it wasn't all personal and petty. After the first polite exploratory epistles were exchanged there was a substantial period of time when Freud and Jung wrote primarily about ideas, a period which moved into crisis when Jung, then working on his Symbols of Transformation, became insistent about some of his reservations concerning psychoanalysis and libido theory. Freud, at first paternal and forbearing, becomes increasingly irritated, Jung increasingly aggressive, and the correspondence degenerates into something akin to a relationship counselor's casebook.
But, of course, it wasn't all personal and petty. After the first polite exploratory epistles were exchanged there was a substantial period of time when Freud and Jung wrote primarily about ideas, a period which moved into crisis when Jung, then working on his Symbols of Transformation, became insistent about some of his reservations concerning psychoanalysis and libido theory. Freud, at first paternal and forbearing, becomes increasingly irritated, Jung increasingly aggressive, and the correspondence degenerates into something akin to a relationship counselor's casebook.
January 31, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this important book. Although the content of many letters is rather dry [especially the discussions about editions of books and contributions to magazines and participation in conferences], the interesting thing to read about was the unfolding of the relationship itself between the two great men. The repressed emotions, the exaggerated courtesies at the beginning of the correspondence, the complicated and tortuous expressions and sentences, the silly excuses, the slips of the pen, all these things show a lot about the deeper conflicts.
My impression about the two as shown in the letters : Freud appears to be more relaxed and authentic in what he expresses about himself, Jung appears more tense and artificial at times and was always stressing how "busy" he was to answer Freud's letters in time, etc.
The relation between the two from father-son or mentor-apprentice changes gradually in front of us as Jung acquires more experience and confidence, until he has the audacity to declare his own independent ideas and even to call on Freud to embrace them ! Freud has ironically called this "your declaration of independence"!
The funny thing I found in the letters is the two men's opinions about their close colleagues, especially about Stekel, Bleuler and Adler. It seems strange to me that after the very lengthy and tedious negotiations to convince both Jung and Freud's families to publish these letters and after Jung's initial reluctance to do that for fear of offending surviving persons mentioned in the letters or their families, after all that the letters appear with all these negative and funny descriptions of eminent figures of twentieth century psychology.
Finally, the letters are a reminder to us that persons who are geniuses in their own work or field are no less human than any one of us, that they have their prejudices, defects, jealousies and grudges, and that they can behave in a silly or childish or immature way at times.
My impression about the two as shown in the letters : Freud appears to be more relaxed and authentic in what he expresses about himself, Jung appears more tense and artificial at times and was always stressing how "busy" he was to answer Freud's letters in time, etc.
The relation between the two from father-son or mentor-apprentice changes gradually in front of us as Jung acquires more experience and confidence, until he has the audacity to declare his own independent ideas and even to call on Freud to embrace them ! Freud has ironically called this "your declaration of independence"!
The funny thing I found in the letters is the two men's opinions about their close colleagues, especially about Stekel, Bleuler and Adler. It seems strange to me that after the very lengthy and tedious negotiations to convince both Jung and Freud's families to publish these letters and after Jung's initial reluctance to do that for fear of offending surviving persons mentioned in the letters or their families, after all that the letters appear with all these negative and funny descriptions of eminent figures of twentieth century psychology.
Finally, the letters are a reminder to us that persons who are geniuses in their own work or field are no less human than any one of us, that they have their prejudices, defects, jealousies and grudges, and that they can behave in a silly or childish or immature way at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
O dragoste nerostită (numai parțial recunoscută & împărtășită) dintre doi bărbați, neîntâmplător psihoterapeuți, medici, pionieri ai psihologiei. Un Freud suferind, iubitor fără speranță și un Jung deferent și respectuos la început, apoi rece, distant și obraznic.
Un Freud sufocant în iubirea lui, folosindu-l pe Jung mai mult ca recipient decât respectându-i inteligența și originalitatea (pe care, altfel, le clama peste tot). Invidios pe tinerețea lui și pe spiritul liberal al elvețianului.
O carte tristă, o relație ce se îndreaptă cu repeziciune către un final dramatic, schițat încă din primele scrisori (cred că poate fi ghicit chiar și de cei care nu cunoșteau dinainte povestea).
Ca să devină (savantul care a fost), Jung trebuia să se desprindă de forța secătuitoare, totalitară, a lui Freud, oricât de dureros demersul.
E insuportabil (stânjenitor) pe alocuri să citești printre rânduri trucurile și tertipurile folosite de Freud pentru a-l condiționa și manipula pe Jung. Și să realizezi că aceea e, de fapt, dragoste(a). Nu foarte sănătoasă, dar între iubire și patologie granița e foarte subțire (dacă există vreuna). Sunt fraze și sunt tehnici de seducție (fățișe, ascunse, subtile sau stângace) cum mai poți găsi numai în scrisorile îndrăgostiților reali.
Până și-n rapiditatea cu care Freud răspundea scrisorilor lui Jung stă abia tăinuită o apăsătoare dorință de a-l acapara, de a-l incorpora, de a-l face să se simtă definitiv obligat, dator etc. Îl copleșea pe Jung până și cu promptitudinea, cu solicitudinea sa. Așa ceva nu putea avea un viitor, nu între două personalități atât de puternice. Aici intervine marea diferență față de un cuplu banal de “îndrăgostiți”...
Un Freud sufocant în iubirea lui, folosindu-l pe Jung mai mult ca recipient decât respectându-i inteligența și originalitatea (pe care, altfel, le clama peste tot). Invidios pe tinerețea lui și pe spiritul liberal al elvețianului.
O carte tristă, o relație ce se îndreaptă cu repeziciune către un final dramatic, schițat încă din primele scrisori (cred că poate fi ghicit chiar și de cei care nu cunoșteau dinainte povestea).
Ca să devină (savantul care a fost), Jung trebuia să se desprindă de forța secătuitoare, totalitară, a lui Freud, oricât de dureros demersul.
E insuportabil (stânjenitor) pe alocuri să citești printre rânduri trucurile și tertipurile folosite de Freud pentru a-l condiționa și manipula pe Jung. Și să realizezi că aceea e, de fapt, dragoste(a). Nu foarte sănătoasă, dar între iubire și patologie granița e foarte subțire (dacă există vreuna). Sunt fraze și sunt tehnici de seducție (fățișe, ascunse, subtile sau stângace) cum mai poți găsi numai în scrisorile îndrăgostiților reali.
Până și-n rapiditatea cu care Freud răspundea scrisorilor lui Jung stă abia tăinuită o apăsătoare dorință de a-l acapara, de a-l incorpora, de a-l face să se simtă definitiv obligat, dator etc. Îl copleșea pe Jung până și cu promptitudinea, cu solicitudinea sa. Așa ceva nu putea avea un viitor, nu între două personalități atât de puternice. Aici intervine marea diferență față de un cuplu banal de “îndrăgostiți”...
March 2, 2021
Oh my..the sexual tension. I ship them. They were so cute trying to prove to one another who's less neurotic, narcissistic and misogynistic. It was an interesting read and I am more than glad that these letters were kept and later published. I would have given this book 2 stars but Jung's total perfect ON POINT outburst in the end and Freud's reaction to it (spoiler: it was petty af) gave me life.
December 1, 2021
It is interesting that one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century lived such banal lives. Freud is always talking about his book, his greatest achievement, “The Interpretation of Dreams”, Jung acknowledges that the wish fulfilment theory is correct up to a point. People who lived before us had the same life experiences of travel, family etc. Reading helps one understand others and one becomes more empathetic.
November 21, 2025
Hard not to read this correpondence Freudianly....
March 20, 2014
the words "sexual" and "hysteria" get used quite a bit here...
October 25, 2020
Knap gedaan aan diegene wat die voetnotas bygevoeg het, veral die Latynse frases, want dit is presies waarna ek gesoek het. Seker die mooiste een is "cacatum non est pictum" ['gescheten is niet geskilderd']. Die Nederlandse vertaling bedien hom van 'n saakliker skryfwyse, maar nou moet mens ook onthou van die stywe "Sehr geehrte Professor!"
Wat mens net van die briewe opval is vier hoofpunte:
1) Diegene wat Adler vir als wat sleg is uitskel, sal binnekort dieselfde paadjie loop.
2) Die wetenskap met al sy vertakkinge (of dwalinge) kan nie binne 'n eersugtige geslote groepie bly of gedy nie [iets nogal kostelik ironies, want het Jung nie daarna juis pens en pootjies in die geslote Gnostiese wêreld ingeduik, om later sélf 'n geslote klub/kringetjie, gehul in geslote geheimsinnigheid, op te rig nie? ]
3) Ek kon om die dood nie help, soos ek die briewe deurlees, om aan Dracula, Dead and Loving it! te dink nie. Hierdie artse herinner mens aan daardie verstokte siele wat skree: "That's it! Put him in a straight jacket and give him an enema! Wait! Wait, wait... Give him the enema FIRST. THEN put him in a straitjacket." Of, al daardie vreemde sale in "X-Files:Resist or Serve" en "Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness."
4) Die dag as Onkel Freud "Waarde vriend" na "Waarde doctor" verander, dan moet jy weet dis neusie verby.
Wat mens net van die briewe opval is vier hoofpunte:
1) Diegene wat Adler vir als wat sleg is uitskel, sal binnekort dieselfde paadjie loop.
2) Die wetenskap met al sy vertakkinge (of dwalinge) kan nie binne 'n eersugtige geslote groepie bly of gedy nie [iets nogal kostelik ironies, want het Jung nie daarna juis pens en pootjies in die geslote Gnostiese wêreld ingeduik, om later sélf 'n geslote klub/kringetjie, gehul in geslote geheimsinnigheid, op te rig nie? ]
3) Ek kon om die dood nie help, soos ek die briewe deurlees, om aan Dracula, Dead and Loving it! te dink nie. Hierdie artse herinner mens aan daardie verstokte siele wat skree: "That's it! Put him in a straight jacket and give him an enema! Wait! Wait, wait... Give him the enema FIRST. THEN put him in a straitjacket." Of, al daardie vreemde sale in "X-Files:Resist or Serve" en "Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness."
4) Die dag as Onkel Freud "Waarde vriend" na "Waarde doctor" verander, dan moet jy weet dis neusie verby.
January 2, 2025
Having finished this I can now see why Jung didn't believe it had any importance for the world. Do I agree with that assessment? Not exactly, but I do have to admit that the bulk of these exchanges aren't particularly insightful. The beginning, on the other hand, contains an excellent window into a blossoming theoretical friendship between Jung and Freud, and you can see the ominous storm clouds signalling their later falling out. The last few letters by Freud were truly heartbreaking, and his request that Jung cease all physical contact was the crescendo to an otherwise fruitful partnership. Despite these heavy hits, the rest of the book-that long, dull middle is sadly very dry. It's mainly just gossip, petty squabbles, and rather mean-spirited bureaucratic politicking concerning Jung and Freud's relation to Adler and other so-called revionist traitors. I like these kinds of books but I can't say this one is worth re-reading aside for a scant few examples.
September 27, 2024
Ikili arasindaki iletisime bizzat sahitlik edebilmek cok keyifliydi. Jung her zaman kendime daha yakin hissettigim bir karakter, ama kitabin ortalarindan itibaren gordugum sey Freud'un zeki ve nukteli olduguydu, bazi kisimlar gulumsetti. Ikili iletisimlerde yer alabilen bazi durumlar, hisler, alinganlik ve kirginliklarin sebeplerinin o gunlerden bu gunlere ayni oldugunu idrak etmemi sagladi. Sonu huzunlu cunku... duygusal yatirim yapilan iliskilerde bazi kopuslar her zaman ihtimal dahilindedir.
Son olarak deginmek isterim ki, yasadiklari hayatlar bugun ile hemen hemen ayni. Buna surekli nezle olmalarini da dahil ediyorum!
Son olarak deginmek isterim ki, yasadiklari hayatlar bugun ile hemen hemen ayni. Buna surekli nezle olmalarini da dahil ediyorum!
May 28, 2012
Offers a unique depth to their relationship...
it is a fun read for those with an analytical mind... those interested in Freud and Jung may also find this interesting.
not for general audience however, some psych classes may be a prerequisite.
it is a fun read for those with an analytical mind... those interested in Freud and Jung may also find this interesting.
not for general audience however, some psych classes may be a prerequisite.
January 24, 2021
One gets a real sense of the two personalities by the end, and gives a sense of context for reading Jung's Red book and Black books.
June 23, 2025
Enjoyed getting an inside look at how Freud and Jung began collaborating and then diverging. They start with some initial disagreements, like whether sex is the main unconscious drive, but then a beautiful friendship flowers between the two. Jung admits that he sees Freud as a kind of father, and they share some sweet words with each other. For much of the correspondence, it's just the two of them against the whole world—the stubborn, shocked public; the resistant medical establishment; and the perceived incompetence, stupidity, and laziness of their fellow psychoanalysts. They exchange ideas on science, mythology, literature, and causation. They inquire about each other's families. They collaborate on journals and conferences. And then, one day, they diverge on the incest taboo. And then, suddenly, their disagreements come to the fore; the tension is palpable. Then, personal grievances come up; harsh words are exchanged; accusations are leveled. Things are irreparable. Honestly, it was sad reading the breakdown of their relationship. It was like getting attached to a couple in a TV show, then watching them break up or get divorced—you want to stand up and yell at the TV screen, "No! Don't do it! You love each other!" And it all unraveled so rapidly... Sad stuff...
July 26, 2019
Oh pseudo - father dearest I believe we shalt spread our wondrous ideas and soon our precursor to psychiatry and der world will become anew.
Ok. This was weird. I somewhat picked this up expecting the fight between the bit strange and eclectic jung and the hyper sexual oriented freud. Yes I know, those are awful characterizations. I nevertheless found myself in the whims of the emotions of two men with a bond. yes. A deep bond. They really loved one another.
I sadly must admit I did not get through the whole thing because I simply found myself bored. I am not one for reading the letters of the explicitly quasi - paternal relationship and as such I did not enjoy it. I am much more intent on learning about the deep elements of their theories than in who they were as people. Granted I will admit, I am not a robot. I find the people side of the theories fascinating, but this is simply not my focus.
Recommended for :
Scholars of the history of psychoanalysis
those who think "the great men" are more than just human
January 11, 2022
Im Rahmen meiner Facharbeit, in welcher ich einiges an Freud und Jung im Auszug las, fesselte mich dieser Briefwechsel so sehr, dass ich ihn in Komplett Fassung nochmals las.
Es ist ein interessanter Austausch zwischen zwei Philosophen und Denkern, die einen großen Einfluss auf die Denkkultur geübt haben.
Es fehlen mir dennoch teilweise, gewünschte, tiefere Einblicke in das Privatleben der beiden Schreibenden deshalb 3,5/5 Sterne.
Es ist ein interessanter Austausch zwischen zwei Philosophen und Denkern, die einen großen Einfluss auf die Denkkultur geübt haben.
Es fehlen mir dennoch teilweise, gewünschte, tiefere Einblicke in das Privatleben der beiden Schreibenden deshalb 3,5/5 Sterne.
September 20, 2019
Much to my own surprise that reading this correspondence disposed me more favorably towards Freud.
Guess I need to read Jung’s Memories again to understand better the happenings, whether the tragedy was more rooted in the conflicting requirements and expectations from both sides at that period.
Guess I need to read Jung’s Memories again to understand better the happenings, whether the tragedy was more rooted in the conflicting requirements and expectations from both sides at that period.
September 15, 2023
Fascinating. Having read their letters to each other, I am now tempted to psychoanalyse the psychoanalysts.
August 25, 2016
The Freud\Jung letters is important book and witness history...But this book is devoted all people.
February 23, 2024
One of the most insightful books on the correspondence between Carl Jung and Freud. This is a must-have book for anyone interested in Psychoanalysis.
January 7, 2012
Surprisingly unboring!
June 16, 2012
Verrrry interesting, this one.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews