Sigmund Freud (Routledge Critical Thinkers)

For years, it was hard to specifically recommend any particular introduction to Freud. This book can serve that purpose, however, whether the reader intends to go on and read Freud himself or not. A reader will come away with a grasp of basic Freudian ideas, and understand why they are still controversial and important. While much can be said for simply jumping in and reading An Interpretation of Dreams or Five Lectures on Psychoanalysis, since Freud is a fine writer and has been masterfully translated by the Stracheys, this book could be read first to make any subsequent reading of Freud a richer, more insightful experience. The explanations are clear, the coverage comprehensive given the size of the volume, the writing interesting, and the author clearly understands her subject material. The annotated bibliography is another plus, an excellent guide for further reading. The emphasis on a literary theory approach is sound, even for those who have other purposes in mind, for as the author suggests, all psychoanalysis is a form of "reading".