An Autobiographical Study (The Standard Edition) (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud) [Paperback]

Sigmund Freud (Author), James Strachey (Editor), Peter Gay (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud | Publication Date: September 17, 1989

Of the various English translations of Freud's major works to appear in his lifetime, only one was authorized by Freud himself: The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud under the general editorship of James Strachey.

Freud approved the overall editorial plan, specific renderings of key words and phrases, and the addition of valuable notes, from bibliographical and explanatory. Many of the translations were done by Strachey himself; the rest were prepared under his supervision. The result was to place the Standard Edition in a position of unquestioned supremacy over all other existing versions.Newly designed in a uniform format, each new paperback in the Standard Edition opens with a biographical essay on Freud's life and work—along with a note on the individual volume—by Peter Gay, Sterling Professor of History at Yale.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is one of the twentieth century's greatest minds and the founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology. His many works include The Ego and the Id; An Outline of Psycho-Analysis; Inhibitions; Symptoms and Anxiety; New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis; Civilization and Its Discontent, and others.

Peter Gay is the author of more than twenty-five books, including the National Book Award winner The Enlightenment, the best-selling Weimar Culture, and the widely translated Freud: A Life for Our Time. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (September 17, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393001466
• ISBN-13: 978-0393001464
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( F ) > Freud, Sigmund
  • #97 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Social Scientists & Psychologists

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look at Freud's early career., December 21, 1999

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A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Autobiographical Study (The Standard Edition) (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud) (Paperback)

Almost one hundred years ago to the month (November 1899), Freud published his landmark book, "The Interpretation of Dreams," in German. The world hasn't been the same since then. No matter what you think of him (many who dislike Freud base their views on what others have said about him or done with his theories), he changed the concept of what it means to be a human being. This long essay (it runs 95 pages with index) came out in 1925, when he was at the height of his fame. It recounts the development of his career and his theories of sexual development. As such it provides an overview of the subjects for which he became famous. It isn't a personal book, concentrating on professional rather than personal associations. I would call it an intellectual memoir--but whatever you call it, it is well worth reading.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Beginning, April 25, 2008

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By George "the bookman" (western New York) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: An Autobiographical Study (The Standard Edition) (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud) (Paperback)

Am I a Freudian? Definitely not. But my life as many in the western world was and still is impacted positively by his understandings and writings.
Freud's short work"An Autobiographical Study" is a good introduction or review, either, into his, as stated in the translator's note, "professional rather than personal" history. It was penned for inclusion into a larger work setting forth the state of medicine in the early years of the century. It was subsequently reprinted with his "The Problem of Lay-Analysis". Here published separately, it includes a postscript written by Freud in 1935, four years before his death.
The type size, face and paper color of this edition make easy reading even for these old eyes of mine.
I found it a quick read, footnoted where necessary, and insightful. It is a good place to begin a study of Freud or psychoanalysis. In chronological order Freud explains the beginning and growth of the key fundamental elements of psychoanalysis and techniques of it's practice. He further shows how his understandings had become a part of many other academic disciplines and places in ordinary life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inventor of Modern Culture, April 21, 2011

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Dr. Damon Labarbera (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Autobiographical Study (Paperback)

Freud's autobiography focuses more on the history of psychoanalysis than on himself. He does not divulge many day to day things. Some of the more interesting parts of the book regard his identification as a Jew, and how it liberated him from orthodoxy, made him an outsider from the start, as well as his identification more with the study of the mind as opposed to biological psychiatry itself, from the start. Also interesting is his tendency to put himself in the background--noting that the development of psychoanalysis is due to its inherent value rather than any personal attractions he might have had as a person. Freud takes obvious pride in his description of psychoanalysis from the early days to its worldwide success at the time of the writing. He also mentions in passing some of his interactions with such luminaries as William James suffering angina, Jung, Breur who continuously criticized psychoanalysis yet seemed to regard himself as an adherent, and Stanley Hall, then president of Clark who brought Freud to America. He also describes the development of his ideas, mentioning in passing such essays as "Obsessive Acts and Religious Practices" and "Wit and the relationship to the unconscious." This is a bite size book, essential for anyone interested psychoanalysis, nicely and elegantly translated from the German, and an interesting parting note from one of the most significant inventors of modern culture.