Freud: A Very Short Introduction

by Anthony Storr

Book Overview

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, developed a totally new way of looking at human nature. Only now, with the hindsight of the half-century since his death, can we assess his true legacy to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192854550
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 4.4" x 0.4" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

A first-rate introduction to Freud

Freud is now somewhat unfashionable, and stands on the periphery of current psychological thought and practice. Yet the very people who denigrate his work do so using terms and concepts that owe a great deal to that work. To be a 'Freudian' today makes as much sense as being a 'Newtonian', but that should not blind us to the importance of his contribution. Storr adopts just the right approach -- he begins each topic with a summary of what Freud said, then offers criticisms of it. He talks more than once of the need to 'separate the wheat from the chaff'. Freud was once revered as a kind of Messiah. Now he is reviled. As usual, the truth lies somewhere in between. Given the brevity of this book, it is remarkably comprehensive, and is an ideal introduction to the man and his work. I read Schopenhauer: A Very Short Introduction before reading this book and I would recommend doing that. There is an obvious indebtedness, although Freud specifically denied it.

The unconscious purveyor of 20th century terminology

We are all aware of many of Freud's ideas, even if we're not conscious aware of that derivation. The concept of the id, the ego, the super-ego, Oedipal complex, etc., are now so much a part of our everyday language that we could find it easy to forget that they have not always been so. This little book is truly a perfect introduction to Freud's life and work for those who'd never read any Freud and who want to get a good starting point. The writing is exceptionally clear and remarkably unbiased - readers will gain a good understanding of why Freud was so fêted and they will also have the information to make decisions on whether his theories are justified. To acknowledge that Freud was a highly intelligent man is not to admit that he understood human nature. In fact, in his case studies and his determined turning of every neurosis to a sexual starting point is the most exasperating element one encounters in reading Freud - that of Freud's certainty of his own right point of view, without the evidence to support that viewpoint. But certainly the reader will be able to follow up on the writing here. For those wishing to read Freud's own works, his books have been translated into English for those who are not able to read the original German. I have always found reading Freud to be a puzzling experience. On the one hand, the man had a very intelligent way of writing. On the other, he leapt to conclusions without bridging the gap with anything other than his own certainty. One can certainly "interpret" Freud in terms other than the organic or strictly literal, but any reading of his own writing will reveal to the reader that Freud didn't have a metaphorical interpretation in mind. But even if his ideas were often stubbornly wrong, Freud is well worth reading. As Anthony Storr says, perhaps the greatest gift Freud gave to the world is the understanding that it is important to listen. To simply listen. This is a highly recommended book for anyone not familiar with Freud's writings. Anthony Storr is well worth reading.

I dig Freud!

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.

A few words on Freud's genius

I concur with the other reviews I have seen on this book. It is a clearly written , fine introduction to Freud's work. It does what it can in the space it has but cannot provide the interpretation of interpretations of the great over- interpreter of us all. Freud's genius was in making mankind see fundamental truths about its own nature it had conveniently ignored throughout its recorded history.His genius was also in understanding ways the mind works ( The defense mechanisms) which explain us to ourselves in a way we did not know how to before. His genius also consisted in a powerful capacity for interpreting and reinterpreting the realities before him, so that he gave us the sense that there is more in us than has been dreamnt in any of our philosophies. The master investigator of the human mind was an immense and complicated mind himself. Storr shows us how some of it worked and developed.

Nice intro to Freud

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 you have of him, you must admit that the man was a genuis. 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