First published in 1947, with a second edition in 1950, the original blurb reads: 'This is an illuminating description of a complete Freudian analysis of a single case. From the first interview to the last the reader’s attention is engrossed with the almost-normal personality of the individual who is being analysed. We see his thoughts, philosophy, and emotions gradually unfolding under the application of analytical technique (lightly explained in the second chapter), until – and this is where the book is such a tremendous advance upon the psychological novel – the very springs and mechanisms of his psychic pattern and emotional structure are abundantly and lucidly revealed. We see and understand the hidden depths of the nature of the human mind, and obtain introductory insight not only into normal mental functioning, but into almost all its psychopathic aberrations including frigidity, impotence, love, hate, hysteria, obsessions, and even paranoia and schizophrenia – all in minor degrees an integral part of normality.
In spite of this the book is light reading and, though particularly instructive to doctor and professional psychologist, understandable to the average intelligent layman.'
This book is a re-issue originally published in 1950. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.
Book One: Father 1. The First Interview 2. A Glimpse of Technique 3. The First Analytical Sessions 4. The Beginning of Transference 5. Regression to Infancy 6. The Father-Fixation: (Its Emergence and its Working Through) 7. The Almighty Father 8. The Homosexual Component and the Defences Against it – With the Hint of a Deeper Heterosexual Level Book Two: Mother 9. The Emergence of the Mother-Fixation from Beneath the Father-Fixation 10. Father Gives Place to Mother 11. Heterosexual Anxiety and Resistance 12. The Problem of Anxiety 13. The Psychology of Accidents 14. Analysis and Money 15. The Self-Sufficiency of the Anal Character 16. Transference Resistance – A Session 17. The Mother-Image Book Three: Son 18. The Climax 19. He has Prospects of Inheriting the Mother-Image 20. Analysis of the Transference 21. The Relief of Mother-Fixation 22. The Final Stage 23. Theoretical Review. Glossary. Index.
Biography
Charles Berg (1892-1957)
For the original publication:
'Can be reccommended without hesitation as a most interesting and outstanding book on the subject of psycho-analysis.' – Medical Press
'Presumes no technical acquaintance with the subject ... remarkably clear ... easily readable. There is no article or book we know of which puts on record quite so clearly how psycho-analytic interviews are conducted, and it can be warmly commended.' – The Practitioner
'Dr Berg has done many of us a service by ringing up the curtain on the secret sessions of psycho-analysis. He does it cheerfully and competently, cleverly postponing his revelations, and presenting his tale with the skill of the natural story-teller.' – Lancet
