Approaching Psychoanalysis: An Introductory Course

David Livingston Smith, London: Karnac, 1999.

Paper: 248 pages. Price £18.95

From Robert E. Haskell, PhD

In Approaching Psychoanalysis, David Livingston Smith has written a solid yet user-friendly near full-spectrum introductory account of Freudian theory and other major currents in psychoanalytic thought. An interesting aspect of this book is Smith's inclusion of biographical material on the major theorists. Clearing up many misconceptions about psychoanalytic theory, the book is not only useful for professionals in the mental health field, it's downright instructive. Throughout the pages, Smith keeps a critical and scientific eye open. Most refreshin!

From Prof. Adolf Grünbaum

This very readable book successfully combines a didactic exposition with a critical articulation of some of the essential philosophical and scientific issues besetting Freud's psychoanalytic theory, as well as some of its post-Freudian modifications. The educated non-specialist reader will find it at once didactically instructive and critically illuminatin.

From Prof. Andrew Samuels

The study of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy is now a burgeoning academic and clinical endeavour. This book certainly fills a gap in the literature, providing one of the best single-volume critical introductions to numerous competing ideas and theories. These are expertly summarised and intelligently discussed in a way that students (and the qualified) will find very helpful. The author is well-versed in the history of ideas and the philosophy of science, and this adds extra authority to the commentary. A timely and valuable book.