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On the History of the Psycho-Analytic Movement (The Standard Edition) (Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud)

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This engaging little memoir charts the ascent of psychoanalysis as seen through the eyes of its world-famous originator. Beginning with the youthful Freud's days with pioneer Josef Breuer in late 19th Century Vienna, it charts the burgeoning movement through the psychoanalysis organization that Freud founded in 1908--and which nearly went to pieces a few years later due to some nasty internecine battles. These were obviously trying times for Freud, and the book sometimes lapses into an acrimonious tone (he calls one detractor an "evil genius"); he also shoots a few poisoned arrows at former colleagues Jung and Adler. For the most part, though, it's a very readable, revealing look back at the days when psychoanalysis was young and had far more enemies than allies: "Occasionally a colleague would make some reference to me in one of his publications; it would be very short and not at all flattering--words such as 'eccentric', 'extreme', or 'very peculiar' would be used."