Freud and Beyond: A History of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought

An excellent history and explanation of psychoanlytic theory and practise. But especially valuable for the review of post-Freudian psychoanlytic understanding of why people have personality problems and what the "new" psychoanalyts have to offer (which is plenty!). I might mention that the authors were apparently not aware that Kohut's "patient", Mr. Z, is actually a disguised portrait of his own psychological history. This book is especially valuable for the relatively simple understandings of why people suffer and how the professional/personal relationship formed between the psychoanalyst and patient is helpful. Disabuses the stereotype of the distant, impersonal psychoanalyst.

I can't imagine a more comprehensive introduction to the vast psychoanlytic field than this one. Mitchell and Black do an excellent job of comparing and contrasting all of the major theorists. Their organization is impressive, not only addressing major schools of thought but adding two chapters at the end that outline major theoretical and clinical controversies that help clarify the preceding chapters. The outcome is an exceptionally clear, comprehensive, even-handed introduction that is hard to beat. The writing is stimulating and simple enough to satisfy those of us who appreciate unpretensious presentations. The compact and brief nature of the book serves its purpose well.

This book is an excellent beginners text on the history of psychoanalysis. It is by no means exhaustive, nor could it be. It simply covers too many important personalities to be more than introductory, yet it fulfills that purpose admirably. The book traces the history of thought in and about the subject of psychoanalysis. It begins with Freud's discovery of the psychogenic nature of hysteria, to his discovery of the unconscious, some of his other theories, and how he applied them in clinical management of patients. Others studied under him, and came to realize new facts about the mind, and new dimensions in the way it operates. This, in turn, gave rise to newer theories. The book traces this expansion, synthesis and sometimes clash between theories to bring us to our present understanding of the mind. The meaning of these theories is demonstrated in concrete terms by the inclusion of clinical cases to demonstrate the various types of pathological manifestations. The book flows very well from one psychoanalyst to another, emphasizing the indebtedness of each to their predecessors. Sigmund and Anna Freud, Adler, Bettelheim, Jung, Sullivan, Bowlby, Kahn and many others are revealed. It is both scientific and historical at the same time, and is very engaging. A good read!

Mitchell and Black provide an essential guide to the major theoretical developments in the field of psychoanalysis since its founding by Freud. They do just what you'd want them to do: they introduce you to each major theorist as a person as well as a thinker, they put each theoretical development in historical perspective both in the context of psychoanalysis and the larger social picture, they show how each thinker developed and how they responded to challenges in the field, and they show how unresolved issues led to the next theoretical breakthrough. All this is done in an accessible narrative style that even educated beginners will find rewarding. Social work students in my classes found this book very helpful. Mitchell and Black are both seasoned clinicians so their writing sometimes sings with clinical insight.

Mitchell and Black have produced a comprehensive account of psychoanalytic thought from its origin (with a clear, cogent overview of Freud) to contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice. This book will be useful to students of psychology as well as to more informed readers interested in an enjoyable and well-executed review of the basics of psychoanalytic thought, theory and practice. A good read.