Written by Lionel Bailly, who is a physician and a lecturer at University College London, Freud: A Complete Introduction is designed to give you everything you need to succeed, all in one place. It covers the key areas that students are expected to be confident in, outlining the basics in clear jargon-free English, and then providing added-value features like summaries of key books, and even lists of questions you might be asked in your seminar or exam.
The book uses a structure that mirrors many university courses on Freud and psychoanalysis - explaining and contextualising the development over time of Freud's theories. Many of these have passed into mainstream society, including the unconscious, repression, the talking cure, free association, transference, the Oedipus Complex, Narcissism and psychosomatics.
Teach Yourself titles employ the 'Breakthrough method', which is designed specifically to overcome problems that students face.
- Problem: "I find it difficult to remember what I've read."; Solution: this book includes end-of-chapter questions and summaries, and flashcards of key points available on-line and as apps
- Problem: "Most books mention important other sources, but I can never find them in time."; Solution: this book includes key texts and case studies are summarised, complete with fully referenced quotes ready to use in your essay or exam.
- Problem: "Lots of introductory books turn out to cover totally different topics than my course."; Solution: this book is written by a current university lecturer who understands what students are expected to know.
