Sigmund Freud and the History of Anna O. Reopening a Closed Case [Paperback]

In recent years historians of psychoanalysis have come to view Freud's case of Anna O. as a failure and have cast doubt on the very foundations of psychoanalysis itself. This new study challenges existing historical scholarship by providing an unparalleled review of the available evidence on the case and reaches new conclusions about its outcome.Preface Introduction: The Changing History of a Case History PART I: THE EVOLUTION OF THE CASE The 1882 Documents Subsequent Evidence The Publication of the Case Study Freud's Account - Reconstructions Defence and Sexuality Transference and the Faustian Imperative PART II: THE EVOLUTION OF THE LEGEND The Birth of the Legend: Ernest Jones The Development of the Legend: Henri Ellenberger The Maturation of the Legend: The Derivative Literature Conclusion Appendix Notes References

'For more than fifty years, the case of Anna O. has been scrutinized by many of the most distinguished historians of psychoanalysis. Now in this meticulously researched and brilliantly argued book, Richard Skues demonstrates that almost everything that has passed for common knowledge about the case has been wrong. Skues sets a new standard for psychoanalytic scholarship, and both Josef Breuer and future generations will be permanently in his debt.'

-Peter L. Rudnytsky, Professor of English, University of Florida, USA, and Editor of American Imago

'Skues's book is a meticulous stock-taking of what can be historically verified, of the development of the established facts, of the contributions of the important authors and their respective internal integrity and tendentiousness...the book is commendable and worth reading.' Psychoanalysis and History, 10 (1), 2008

-Albrecht Hirschm?ller, author of The Life and Work of Josef Breuer.

'[His] substantial thesis is elaborated by eye-opening interpretations of all known sources in their own context as well as sound reflections on the lC(