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Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud
This reprint edition of The Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud includes complete texts of six works that have profoundly influenced the understanding of human behavior. It's presented here in the translation by Dr. A.A. Brill, who for almost 40 years was the standard-bearer of Freudian theories in America.
Introduction
Psychopathology of everyday life
The interpretation of dreams
Three contributions to the theory of sex
Wit & its relation to the unconscious
Totem & taboo
The history of the psychoanalytic movement
Index
Introduction
Psychopathology of everyday life
The interpretation of dreams
Three contributions to the theory of sex
Wit & its relation to the unconscious
Totem & taboo
The history of the psychoanalytic movement
Index
1007 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1938
About the author
Sigmund Freud
4,529 books8,669 followersDr. Sigismund Freud, M.D. (University of Vienna)—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 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 3, 2008
I'm thrilled that I found Freud post-graduate school, because it's nice to know that my thinking hasn't solidified to the point where I can't be seriously changed by a book. It took me at least two years to get through this whole volume, but it was worth it. So many of Freud's theories are instantly verifiable through self analysis, which makes reading his books a real thrill. By walking you through his logic, the reader is invited to be both the doctor and the patient.
I do think that Freud has limits. "Totem and Taboo" was a stretch for me. He seems so certain that his psychological discoveries disprove religion, while I don't understand why they couldn't just as easily be evidence that religion is true. Either way, isn't he just demonstrating ways in which religion is psychologically necessary, whether it's true or not?
I do think that Freud has limits. "Totem and Taboo" was a stretch for me. He seems so certain that his psychological discoveries disprove religion, while I don't understand why they couldn't just as easily be evidence that religion is true. Either way, isn't he just demonstrating ways in which religion is psychologically necessary, whether it's true or not?
August 10, 2016
I've only read The Psychopathology of Everyday Life so far. It's excellent, loaded with epiphanies for the reader. One thinks "but yes! Of course!"
February 6, 2023
Not Freud the clinician, nor Freud the cultural critic, but Freud the curious theorist. These texts are primarily going to convince you of one thing: you have an unconscious. Everything else is up for debate, and the details (there are quite literally thousands of them) are where the demons of Freud’s ambitions and experimental method of thinking thrive in ravenous hordes.
The Modern Library edition is a strange ordering of the included texts. Int. Of Dreams obviously provides the guiding theoretical framework for all these books. (As found in anthology: Psychopathology of Everyday Life, Int. Of Dreams, 3 Essays on Sexuality, Wit and […] the Unconscious, Totem and Taboo, History of the Psychoanalytic Movement).
It would have made more sense to see how the basic insight of IOD - namely, that the psyche is a miniature economy of instincts and social/natural demands (read “demands” as both commands and prohibitions, positive and negative) - informs all these early and middle texts of Freud’s career.
Everything follows from this model, which is extended into The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, where the “wish,” (which is not only an instinct but an impossible and indestructible demand on the side of the subject directed towards the world (an easy example: I want to be able to fly. Why should the organism want this impossible thing? How will it be compensated after being denied by reality?)) reveals itself in slips and “accidents” which are actually dream-like formations or compromises between wishes and reality (usually social, like “I don’t want to go to that birthday party,” so I forget it).
This would then flow into Wit and […] the Unconscious, where we see a single aspect of everyday life - our jokes and automatic cleverness - under close scrutiny. Turns out the joke is another compromise-formation wherein the socially dangerous thought or feeling is transformed into a source of pleasure.
After all of that, Three Essays on Sexuality would serve as a kind of developmental psychology showing the way in which the id-ego-superego structure arises out of pleasure-principle based theory of the psyche. This would sum up most of Freud’s important work in the pleasure-principle phase, before the theorization of the death-drive, which calls for radical reassessment of all four of these texts.
Totem and Taboo is basically irrelevant except insofar as it is where Freud first posits a “phylogenetic” model for the psyche. A sad attempt at what we today would call evolutionary psychology, one which I would say is more primitive and dismissible than it’s current iteration, but which sadly has always been the hobbyhorse of would-be cultural critics who don’t have an aesthetic bone in their body and based on all available evidence do not know how to appreciate the simple joys of a sunset. If you want Freud the social theorist, go to Civilization and it’s Discontents.
The Modern Library edition is a strange ordering of the included texts. Int. Of Dreams obviously provides the guiding theoretical framework for all these books. (As found in anthology: Psychopathology of Everyday Life, Int. Of Dreams, 3 Essays on Sexuality, Wit and […] the Unconscious, Totem and Taboo, History of the Psychoanalytic Movement).
It would have made more sense to see how the basic insight of IOD - namely, that the psyche is a miniature economy of instincts and social/natural demands (read “demands” as both commands and prohibitions, positive and negative) - informs all these early and middle texts of Freud’s career.
Everything follows from this model, which is extended into The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, where the “wish,” (which is not only an instinct but an impossible and indestructible demand on the side of the subject directed towards the world (an easy example: I want to be able to fly. Why should the organism want this impossible thing? How will it be compensated after being denied by reality?)) reveals itself in slips and “accidents” which are actually dream-like formations or compromises between wishes and reality (usually social, like “I don’t want to go to that birthday party,” so I forget it).
This would then flow into Wit and […] the Unconscious, where we see a single aspect of everyday life - our jokes and automatic cleverness - under close scrutiny. Turns out the joke is another compromise-formation wherein the socially dangerous thought or feeling is transformed into a source of pleasure.
After all of that, Three Essays on Sexuality would serve as a kind of developmental psychology showing the way in which the id-ego-superego structure arises out of pleasure-principle based theory of the psyche. This would sum up most of Freud’s important work in the pleasure-principle phase, before the theorization of the death-drive, which calls for radical reassessment of all four of these texts.
Totem and Taboo is basically irrelevant except insofar as it is where Freud first posits a “phylogenetic” model for the psyche. A sad attempt at what we today would call evolutionary psychology, one which I would say is more primitive and dismissible than it’s current iteration, but which sadly has always been the hobbyhorse of would-be cultural critics who don’t have an aesthetic bone in their body and based on all available evidence do not know how to appreciate the simple joys of a sunset. If you want Freud the social theorist, go to Civilization and it’s Discontents.
December 28, 2017
This book was wordy, antiquated and beyond boring. I stopped reading after giving it my best attention for 3 months; finishing the first third of the volume. Upon realizing that I dreaded picking it up, I decided to stop reading it. There is so much good reading available today that is enlightening and progressive; why waste time in this kind of dogmatism? I can understand now why Jung separated from Freud!
November 4, 2024
This collection was first published in 1938 and contains English translations (by one of Freud's first American followers, A.A. Brill, with an introduction by Brill) of six books by Sigmund Freud:
Psychopathology of Everyday Life (1904)
The Interpretation of Dreams (1899)
Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious (1905)
Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex (1905)
Totem and Taboo (1913)
The History of the Psychoanalytic Movement (1914)
Freud is the inventor (or co-inventor with Josef Breuer, in some tellings) of psychoanalysis, a revolutionary new treatment for mental illness. Through the practice of psychoanalysis on a large number of patients, Freud not only alleviated a great deal of suffering, but also developed a theory of the mind, which he believed applied to all human beings, not just those afflicted with mental illness. He also believed that one could use his theories to gain insights into other areas of study, including history, anthropology, sociology, religion, and the arts. Although many of Freud's specific findings have been challenged or rejected, often because they have not been proven by modern scientific research methods, and even though formal psychoanalysis is rarely practiced anymore, many of the basic principles of Freud's theory and practice form the foundation of current psychology and psychotherapy; Freudian concepts also permeate the broader culture and the layperson's understanding of how the mind works.
The six works in this collection contain many of Freud's most notable ideas and discoveries, which are presented in the context of the specific topic being discussed. As far as I know, Freud never wrote a grand summary of his theories in one volume. But by reading all six books, one becomes familiar with the free association method of psychoanalysis, the three aspects of mind (conscious, preconscious, and unconscious), the idea that sexuality is a force in humans from birth, the Oedipal conflict, penis envy, fear of castration, and the notion that dreams are the disguised fulfillment of unconscious (infantile) wishes. We learn that slips of the tongue, lapses of memory, and humor may be messages from our unconscious mind and that certain aspects of culture and religion may be based on primitive or childhood sexual conflicts. Two major elements of Freud's thinking that are missing from these books are the theory of the ego, id, and superego, which barely gets mentioned, and the idea of the conflict between the life force (sexuality) and death force.
I don't know why they put Psychopathology of Everyday Life first, out of chronological order. The Interpretation of Dreams comes first chronologically and is considered Freud's most important book, with Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex (also known as Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality) as the next most important.
Another note for purists is that the version of The Interpretation of Dreams is abridged somewhat by the editor, who cut much of the section in which Freud reviews previous theories on dream interpretation. Also, all the books here include revisions and updates, often in footnotes, added by Freud (and Brill) after the initial publication of the book. This is particularly apparent in this edition of The Interpretation of Dreams, which contains many updates (some of which contradict the original 1899 text).
In order to place Freud's thought in a modern context, I plan to read a book or books that include the various challenges to Freudian theory and practice that have arisen in the century since these books were written.
Psychopathology of Everyday Life (1904)
The Interpretation of Dreams (1899)
Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious (1905)
Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex (1905)
Totem and Taboo (1913)
The History of the Psychoanalytic Movement (1914)
Freud is the inventor (or co-inventor with Josef Breuer, in some tellings) of psychoanalysis, a revolutionary new treatment for mental illness. Through the practice of psychoanalysis on a large number of patients, Freud not only alleviated a great deal of suffering, but also developed a theory of the mind, which he believed applied to all human beings, not just those afflicted with mental illness. He also believed that one could use his theories to gain insights into other areas of study, including history, anthropology, sociology, religion, and the arts. Although many of Freud's specific findings have been challenged or rejected, often because they have not been proven by modern scientific research methods, and even though formal psychoanalysis is rarely practiced anymore, many of the basic principles of Freud's theory and practice form the foundation of current psychology and psychotherapy; Freudian concepts also permeate the broader culture and the layperson's understanding of how the mind works.
The six works in this collection contain many of Freud's most notable ideas and discoveries, which are presented in the context of the specific topic being discussed. As far as I know, Freud never wrote a grand summary of his theories in one volume. But by reading all six books, one becomes familiar with the free association method of psychoanalysis, the three aspects of mind (conscious, preconscious, and unconscious), the idea that sexuality is a force in humans from birth, the Oedipal conflict, penis envy, fear of castration, and the notion that dreams are the disguised fulfillment of unconscious (infantile) wishes. We learn that slips of the tongue, lapses of memory, and humor may be messages from our unconscious mind and that certain aspects of culture and religion may be based on primitive or childhood sexual conflicts. Two major elements of Freud's thinking that are missing from these books are the theory of the ego, id, and superego, which barely gets mentioned, and the idea of the conflict between the life force (sexuality) and death force.
I don't know why they put Psychopathology of Everyday Life first, out of chronological order. The Interpretation of Dreams comes first chronologically and is considered Freud's most important book, with Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex (also known as Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality) as the next most important.
Another note for purists is that the version of The Interpretation of Dreams is abridged somewhat by the editor, who cut much of the section in which Freud reviews previous theories on dream interpretation. Also, all the books here include revisions and updates, often in footnotes, added by Freud (and Brill) after the initial publication of the book. This is particularly apparent in this edition of The Interpretation of Dreams, which contains many updates (some of which contradict the original 1899 text).
In order to place Freud's thought in a modern context, I plan to read a book or books that include the various challenges to Freudian theory and practice that have arisen in the century since these books were written.
July 29, 2012
This represented my second attempt at completing Sigmund Freud's works and I was well rewarded for the perseverance. At times Freud can get too ingrained in the minutia of his theories and in reaffirming his legacy, however his insights are thoroughly thought provoking, writing fluid, examples entertaining, and intellect simply extraordinary. Three of his works in particular fascinated me:
- Psychopathology of Everyday Life: Forgetfulness and lapses of attention are explainable and determined through repression or a counter-will of an unadmitted motive. Superstition is a falsehood, with there being only chance in the outer real world and meaning behind our thoughts. That prophetic dreams are also a falsehood well outnumbered by the numerous neglected dreams unfulfilled.
- The Interpretation of Dreams: The dream is the disguised or distorted form of censorship directed towards the fulfillment of a suppressed or repressed wish. Dream content preserves a connection with recent experiences and long term psychologically significant material. Every element of a dream provides meaning through a chain of associations, whether in symbolic terms or in representing its intended opposite. That the state of sleep makes dream-formation possible by reducing the inhibiting censorship active in consciousness. Under the pressure of censorship however the normal and vital association of dream elements is displaced by something superficial and apparently absurd.
- Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious: This joke resonated with me - A. had borrowed a copper kettle from B., and upon returning it, was sued by B. because it had a large hole which rendered it unserviceable. His defense was this: "In the first place, I never borrowed any kettle from B. secondly, the kettle had a hole in it when I received it from B., thirdly, the kettle was in perfect condition when I returned it."
- Totem and Taboo - Using examples from Australia, Africa, Melanesia, and Polynesia Freud highlights how animal totems were used by indigenous populations to segregate tribes and manage social relations between the different sexes. The basis of taboo is noted to be a forbidden action for which there exists a strong and contagious inclination in the unconscious. Taboos were particularly stringent for rulers, such as the Mikando of Japan who could not move lest it was interpreted as an impending great misfortune. Freud summarizes the cultural progression of the human mind across three stages: in the animistic stage man ascribes omnipotence to himself, in the religious stage he cedes it to the gods with the ability to influence them in some way, and in the scientific stage man's omnipotence is lost.
- Psychopathology of Everyday Life: Forgetfulness and lapses of attention are explainable and determined through repression or a counter-will of an unadmitted motive. Superstition is a falsehood, with there being only chance in the outer real world and meaning behind our thoughts. That prophetic dreams are also a falsehood well outnumbered by the numerous neglected dreams unfulfilled.
- The Interpretation of Dreams: The dream is the disguised or distorted form of censorship directed towards the fulfillment of a suppressed or repressed wish. Dream content preserves a connection with recent experiences and long term psychologically significant material. Every element of a dream provides meaning through a chain of associations, whether in symbolic terms or in representing its intended opposite. That the state of sleep makes dream-formation possible by reducing the inhibiting censorship active in consciousness. Under the pressure of censorship however the normal and vital association of dream elements is displaced by something superficial and apparently absurd.
- Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious: This joke resonated with me - A. had borrowed a copper kettle from B., and upon returning it, was sued by B. because it had a large hole which rendered it unserviceable. His defense was this: "In the first place, I never borrowed any kettle from B. secondly, the kettle had a hole in it when I received it from B., thirdly, the kettle was in perfect condition when I returned it."
- Totem and Taboo - Using examples from Australia, Africa, Melanesia, and Polynesia Freud highlights how animal totems were used by indigenous populations to segregate tribes and manage social relations between the different sexes. The basis of taboo is noted to be a forbidden action for which there exists a strong and contagious inclination in the unconscious. Taboos were particularly stringent for rulers, such as the Mikando of Japan who could not move lest it was interpreted as an impending great misfortune. Freud summarizes the cultural progression of the human mind across three stages: in the animistic stage man ascribes omnipotence to himself, in the religious stage he cedes it to the gods with the ability to influence them in some way, and in the scientific stage man's omnipotence is lost.
April 8, 2021
1. The Interpretation of Dreams - Read 28.3.21 - 8.4.21 **
Read over half of this and am okay to put it down now. While there is interesting material to be found here, the way it's presented probably lets it down the most. It's far too dense and long-winded for me to enjoy properly. As far as his theories go, though, I don't find them as compelling or relevant as some of his other ideas. I think dreams may just be one of those areas that are too personal and subjective to analyse in the way Freud wants to. That doesn't mean aspects of his approach are not useful, it's more that he spends a great deal of time on conclusions that felt like they were based more upon personal and/or culturally specific assumptions and associations. The sense that he was confirming his own bias is felt on nearly every page. As a result, I do not see much purpose in going any further now I've established his main points.
Read over half of this and am okay to put it down now. While there is interesting material to be found here, the way it's presented probably lets it down the most. It's far too dense and long-winded for me to enjoy properly. As far as his theories go, though, I don't find them as compelling or relevant as some of his other ideas. I think dreams may just be one of those areas that are too personal and subjective to analyse in the way Freud wants to. That doesn't mean aspects of his approach are not useful, it's more that he spends a great deal of time on conclusions that felt like they were based more upon personal and/or culturally specific assumptions and associations. The sense that he was confirming his own bias is felt on nearly every page. As a result, I do not see much purpose in going any further now I've established his main points.
October 25, 2019
I read this long ago before I became a psychiatric nurse. At the time, I loved it because it was unlike anything I'd ever read in my life up to that time. (I was about 16). Admittedly my youth and inexperience probably clouded my review.
August 6, 2007
ridiculous.
December 23, 2024
A now identify as a menace
June 29, 2024
This volume includes five of Freud's works: Psychopathology of Everyday Life, The Interpretation of Dreams, Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex, Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious, Totem and Taboo, and The History of the Psychoanalytic Movement. I read this primarily because I believe it is important to read primary sources that have significantly contributed to our culture. As a lay person, I'm not in the best person to provide a critical evaluation of his works. However, I do have a few thoughts:
1. I found Totem and Taboo to be the most informative and best written. He built a reasonable case that the totems and taboos of a primitive society are the outcomes of horrible events that that society cannot recall. These symbols form the basis of that society's religious practices. I'm glad I read this, as it will help me better understand Rene Girard's reactions to Freud's work as he built his own theories as to how primitive religions developed.
2. I found Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious incredibly painful to read. Not only was it a chore to read detailed analyses of why a certain joke is funny, I'm not wholly convinced Freud actually understood the punchlines of some of the jokes he analyzed.
3. Freud spent pages discussing suffering from "a boil the size of an apple at the base of my scrotum" in The Interpretation of Dreams. Take that for what you will.
4. While Freud held certain theories to support his psychoanalytic analyses, what I couldn't see was sufficient support or arguments for them. However, I recognize as a layman that I may not have sufficient knowledge, patience, or training to understand the support for these theories.
All in all, I'm glad that I finally was able to read Freud's pinnacle works. But I can't say I became a convert to his theories or analytical approach.
1. I found Totem and Taboo to be the most informative and best written. He built a reasonable case that the totems and taboos of a primitive society are the outcomes of horrible events that that society cannot recall. These symbols form the basis of that society's religious practices. I'm glad I read this, as it will help me better understand Rene Girard's reactions to Freud's work as he built his own theories as to how primitive religions developed.
2. I found Wit and Its Relation to the Unconscious incredibly painful to read. Not only was it a chore to read detailed analyses of why a certain joke is funny, I'm not wholly convinced Freud actually understood the punchlines of some of the jokes he analyzed.
3. Freud spent pages discussing suffering from "a boil the size of an apple at the base of my scrotum" in The Interpretation of Dreams. Take that for what you will.
4. While Freud held certain theories to support his psychoanalytic analyses, what I couldn't see was sufficient support or arguments for them. However, I recognize as a layman that I may not have sufficient knowledge, patience, or training to understand the support for these theories.
All in all, I'm glad that I finally was able to read Freud's pinnacle works. But I can't say I became a convert to his theories or analytical approach.
June 28, 2025
Wildly vacillating metronome between "extraordinarily elucidating explication on everyday evidence of psychic life" that actually clarified personal turpitude within myself regarding the lingering effects of OCD to "obnoxiously outdated" also let's never overlook Freud's coverup of high-profile incest cases!!! Or so current consensus converses.
Nonetheless controversial to this day as we prudish Americans take offense to being told to think about ourselves, our lives, or our positions in the world in any capacity whatsoever with the same fervor as if someone said to shove a crucifix up their ass and hit the G-spot on the way. The anti-intellectualism rampant is so reality-inverting it's genuinely impossible to describe logically. It's not subtle. Implying there will be consequences evokes more of a shock than them occurring in real life.
Still on the nose about how sexual neuroses dictate our collective unreality to this very day.
Nonetheless controversial to this day as we prudish Americans take offense to being told to think about ourselves, our lives, or our positions in the world in any capacity whatsoever with the same fervor as if someone said to shove a crucifix up their ass and hit the G-spot on the way. The anti-intellectualism rampant is so reality-inverting it's genuinely impossible to describe logically. It's not subtle. Implying there will be consequences evokes more of a shock than them occurring in real life.
Still on the nose about how sexual neuroses dictate our collective unreality to this very day.
March 24, 2019
I know it more a reference book. Or an easy reading book but overall I have to rate the book by the whole experience.
As for scientifically it is briefed as notes and writing of experiements results.
The book is organized by chapters and parts each for a subject, and the chain is put very well together, but the repetition what is I hate, I hope there was a book that just put the spot on the end result with the needed details information. I might be wrong saying I know but I really like to read a book that go straight to the point without taking a lot of time on repetetive dialog.
Though Freud always fascinated me. And the book have more positive than negative
As for scientifically it is briefed as notes and writing of experiements results.
The book is organized by chapters and parts each for a subject, and the chain is put very well together, but the repetition what is I hate, I hope there was a book that just put the spot on the end result with the needed details information. I might be wrong saying I know but I really like to read a book that go straight to the point without taking a lot of time on repetetive dialog.
Though Freud always fascinated me. And the book have more positive than negative
February 4, 2018
It was boring maybe I'll give it another try sometime.
December 7, 2018
It's a exhausting read, naturally.
But fundamental.
But fundamental.
September 10, 2019
Excellence
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2022
A good read, a good read indeed.
December 29, 2024
I did not read this the same way I would have read it if I were reading it for a class. I skimmed through it. I will most likely read this again at a deeper level in the future
April 4, 2022
Brill's translation is the classic one in Freudology, there are the newer standard edition version by James Strachey and a new English translation edited by Adam Phillips. Nevertheless, Brill's has its own value besides of its historical value that is its readibility. I think the reason is because Brill version intended for the public. Besides, I like its visual appearance and its design: a hardback edition along with another book in the series, Interpretation of Dreams.
March 19, 2016
It was good, but a great many of Freud's ideas are out of vogue now. It has nothing to do with Freud's writing style or anything of that nature, since this is all a translation by some guy named A. A. Brill I think.
Most of Freud's ideas can be summed up as thoughts of sex. Repression is another big theme for him, which is not surprising since he was active when the Victorian Era was dying down. Using the developments of free association and reporting dreams, Freud attempts to understand the unconscious mind. A lot of his ideas take some getting used to; like with his dream analysis and how it connects to repressed desires. Since most dreams are complete nonsense, some people figured that it was all symbolic. This could be traced way back to Joseph (of the coat of many colors fame) and his prophetic dreams, but other societies have also put their trust in such things. This is mostly The interpretation of Dreams though. When he moves on to Three Contributions of the Theory of Sex, it does get a little uncomfortable, though I did read through all of the passages where thumb-sucking is meant to be some kind of orgasmic oral fixation behavior.
One thing I can say about the guy is that he was quite the standard bearer for a while. When you think of therapists or psychiatrists, the first thought that could come to your mind is an old man that has you lay on a couch and tells you to relate your dreams. Now, this might be through the efforts of all sorts of other things as well, but the fact of the matter is that Freud was quite revolutionary for his time.
Anyway, I'm beginning to babble, so I'll leave off with that. I did enjoy the books, but I do not plan on reading them again.
Most of Freud's ideas can be summed up as thoughts of sex. Repression is another big theme for him, which is not surprising since he was active when the Victorian Era was dying down. Using the developments of free association and reporting dreams, Freud attempts to understand the unconscious mind. A lot of his ideas take some getting used to; like with his dream analysis and how it connects to repressed desires. Since most dreams are complete nonsense, some people figured that it was all symbolic. This could be traced way back to Joseph (of the coat of many colors fame) and his prophetic dreams, but other societies have also put their trust in such things. This is mostly The interpretation of Dreams though. When he moves on to Three Contributions of the Theory of Sex, it does get a little uncomfortable, though I did read through all of the passages where thumb-sucking is meant to be some kind of orgasmic oral fixation behavior.
One thing I can say about the guy is that he was quite the standard bearer for a while. When you think of therapists or psychiatrists, the first thought that could come to your mind is an old man that has you lay on a couch and tells you to relate your dreams. Now, this might be through the efforts of all sorts of other things as well, but the fact of the matter is that Freud was quite revolutionary for his time.
Anyway, I'm beginning to babble, so I'll leave off with that. I did enjoy the books, but I do not plan on reading them again.
February 12, 2008
This was my first book that I read to prepare myself to explore psychology. What better way than to start off with the "Father of Psychology". This book is very informative. I liked how there were also a compilation of his books in this one (saves money). I really learned about it, unfortunately, somethings in this book can be very controversial, but I guess that's what makes it very thought-provoking as well. Be prepared for a life-changing experience once you've completed this book. It is a bit difficult to read, but just hammer your way through, or fly a bit higher than usual when reading this book. I loved it and it really helped me understand more about the human mind.
February 16, 2016
This was one of the earlier, affordable collections of some of the basic writings of Sigmund Freud that I began reading toward the end of college. At this point I'm no longer sure which of them I read in these, the Brill translations, and which I read first in other, later editions except for Wit and the Unconscious and The Psychopathology of Everyday Life, both of which I had read previously while staying at my grandmother's cottage in SE Michigan.
July 29, 2011
I first read this in a college course, and found his body of work to be eye opening and thought provoking--although not all that easy to read--I would never have guessed that I would go on to be a psychiatrist, but he rocked my world
June 30, 2014
A brilliant man who may have made everything up without going beyond his personal opinion. He states a premise and finds evidence to support his opinion. Little true objectivity, but his views certainly inspired all subsequent studies in psychology.
January 31, 2008
I can't believe that I've gotten this far in life without having read any Freud. Still on the introduction just now.
February 12, 2010
I am little more than half way through, I have not picked it up in a while but I will continue to read it. The book is great if it interests you. You sorta have to have a knack for this.
November 5, 2010
After reading half a dozen of Freud's books I used this one as a summary. It holds a good representation of all of his work.
February 1, 2013
brilliant
January 30, 2012
An amazing mind, right up there with Darwin. It's refreshing to actually read the original stuff to see how Freud's work has been misinterpreted and Freud misrepresented.
December 11, 2012
Very interesting, a good look at old psychology.
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