The Wild Child: The Unsolved Mystery of Kaspar Hauser

"The Wild Child: The Unsolved Mystery of Kaspar Hauser" by Geoffrey Mousaieff Masson is a great introduction to Kaspar Hauser studies. Masson seems to have thoroughly researched every aspect of the Kaspar Hauser mystery. The book is well-documented and footnoted and includes an extensive bibliography (the German titles can get a bit overwhelming at times but Masson provides English translations of the titles of the most important German works.) Masson also provides the first English-language translation of Anselm Ritter von Feurbach's "Kaspar Hauser," a crucial primary source written by the 19th century German judge who first investigated Kaspar Hauser's case and became the boy's advocate. The book also includes a translation of the equally important autobiography of Kaspar Hauser, as well as Mayor Binder's proclamation. Masson also includes material on other historical cases of "wild children" in Europe. What may not be as interesting to some readers is the material on child abuse which Masson includes in the Introduction, but with Masson's background as former head of the Freud archives and an author on psychotherapy its inclusion is understandable. However readers interested primarily in the historical aspects of the case shouldn't find this material too distracting. Mason is careful to distinguish between fact and supposition. Anytime he is stating his opinion he tells you. All-in-all I found this a very good introduction to Kaspar Hauser studies.