The Assault on Truth

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Untreed Reads, Mar 7, 2012 - Psychology - 208 pages
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In 1896, Sigmund Freud presented his revolutionary "seduction theory," arguing that acts of sexual abuse and violence inflicted on children are the direct cause of adult mental illness. Nine years later, Freud completely reversed his position, insisting that these sexual memories were actually fantasies that never happened. Why did Freud retract the seduction theory? And why has the psychoanalytic community gone to such lengths to conceal that retraction? In this landmark book, drawing on his unique access to formerly sealed and hidden papers, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson dares to uncover the truth about this critical turning point in Freud's career and its enduring impact on the theory and practice of psychoanalysis. The Assault on Truth reveals a reality that neither Freud nor his followers could bear to face. Bracing in its honesty, gripping in its revelations, this is the book that prompted Masson's break with the psychoanalytic community-and launched his subsequent brilliant career as an independent thinker and writer."
 

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This book is a must read for anyone interested in the history of psychoanalysis.Furthermore, it seems to be one of the few places where one can actually read the full text of Freud's original 1896 position in "The Aetiology of Hysteris". That article reads as if it could have been written in the 1980s - fascinating - 100 years before his time, Freud's change of position affected millions thereafter - specifically women.
Definitely worth more than the $4.20 being charged for the e-book. I have the original hard book with its wonderful red dust cover.
 

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Contents

The Strange Case of Ferenczis Last Paper
5
Conclusion
Afterword to the 1985 Edition
Freuds 1896
Ferenczis 1932
Postscript to the 1985 Edition
Postscript to the Pocket Edition
Notes
Copyright

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About the author (2012)

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson is the author of "Dogs Never Lie About Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs"; "When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals"; "My Father's Guru: A Journey Through Spirituality & Disillusion"; "Final Analysis: The Making & Unmaking of a Psychoanalyst"; & "The Assault on Truth: Freud's Suppression of the Seduction Theory", among other books. After receiving his undergraduate degree & a Ph.D. in Sanskrit & Indian Studies from Harvard University, he completed a full clinical training program in psychoanalysis at the Toronto Psychoanalytic Institute from 1970 to 1978. Masson served for one year as Projects Director of the Sigmund Freud Archives in London.

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