Freud (Past Masters Series) [Paperback]

Anthony Storr (Author)

Book Description

Series: Past Masters Series | Publication Date: June 1, 1989

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was the founder of psycho-analysis. From a method of treating neurosis in upper-middle-class patients in Vienna, Freud developed a novel way of looking at human nature. His insistence that this method was a science earned him disbelief and hostility from some but the success and originality of his treatment and ideas converted many others to the cause. Published on the 50th anniversary of Freud's death, this book looks at his major theories, evaluating whether they have stood the test of time and in the process examining Freud himself in the light of his own ideas. Anthony Storr has written several books based on psychiatry, including "Sexual Deviation", "Jung" and "The School of Genius".

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Invaluable to the novice approaching Freud's works for the first time....As an evaluation of Freud's theory, Storr's book is concise and up-to-date....An important addition to any library collection."--Choice

"Storr's brief, elegant, and interesting book coolly surveys what we might term the house of Freud and finds almost everything flawed...yet he does not dispute that the builder of the shaky house was a genius."--D.M. Thomas, The Observer

"A model exercise in synthesis."--The Independent

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Anthony Storr qualified as a doctor in 1944. He subsequently specialized in psychiatry, trained as an analyst, and taught psychotherapy at Oxford. His books include The Integrity of the Personality (1960), The Dynamics of Creation (1972), Jung (1973), Solitude (1988), and Music and the Mind (1992). He is an Emeritus Fellow of Green College, Oxford. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192822101
• ISBN-13: 978-0192822109
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,272,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Laura:..., July 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Freud: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

This book is a very good general view of freud's ideas, theories, and views. I would recommend it if you are just stating out. It has clear language too. However it is not terribly indepth so be forewarned that it may not meet all needs. It is a good general resource though.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I dig Freud!, April 27, 2006

By 

Agent Cooper (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Freud: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

Yes, it's true that he pretty much reduced everything to sex in some way or other. But if you go beyond that little foible then you see that SF was one of the most brilliant people of the last century, without doubt. There's a section in here on his analysis of jokes and why we tell them that is priceless. And if you are honest with yourself then you will have to admit that he is exactly right on target. This book has definitely spurred my interest in the field and SF himself. I do think that the author glosses over SF's religious views and writings a little too glibly, as though he thinks that SF really didn't believe what he wrote. I actually think that these are some of the most profound of Freud's writings and some that I definitely intend to pursue further. All in all though, this is definitely worth your time and money.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice intro to Freud, January 8, 2004

By 

Lee Tasey (Lincoln, NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freud: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

I studied philosphy as an undergrad, theology as a grad student, dropped out of a Ph.D. program in philosophy to write fiction, and as a result, grew more curious about human beings and why they act the way they do.

So I took up the study of psychology. I'd heard a lot about Dr. Freud: about how great he was from some people and what a crackpot he was from others. Still, whatever view people have of him, the man was brilliant.

Dr. Storr's book is a nice intro to Freud; all the bases are covered in this little book. It's written in a simple style and offers clear explanations of Dr. Freud's views of sexuality, dreams, religion, and more. There are plenty of quotes throughout the book and biographical tidbits. I checked this book out at the library but will probably buy it to have on my bookshelf. A very interesting read and a solid foundation for any future reading of Freud.

Also recommended: The Gospel of Arnie