Fundamentals of Psychoanalysis

This book represents introductory lectures to psychoanalysis by Dr. Franz Alexander given over some fifteen years in the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis. Instead of revising his earlier book, "The Medical Value of Psychoanalysis," which was published eleven years ago, he determined to prepare a new two volume work, of which this is the first. The second volume will be a discussion of the psychosomatic approach to medicine. Dr. Alexander writes well but not easily. The book is definitely of college level or above and comprehension depends on understanding of psychoanalytic diction. The clear thinking and ability of Dr. Alexander are fully reflected in this book. Perhaps it is fortunate for mankind that most persons are not able to evaluate themselves as the psychoanalysts evaluate them. One gathers the feeling that these persons know too much. Toward the end this book assumes the appearance of an outline; in fact, one finds