John Kulig wrote: > I'm not a psychoanalyst (I only play one in History of Psych), so I need > some help. My wife is a librarian who decides the fate of donated books > (she works in an academic library). Someone donated books by the > psychoanalytically oriented Theodor Reik (he wrote Masochism, Sex & > Society). What is his reputation within the field? Is he worth adding to > an academic library? Some would not add any psychoanalysts to their > collection, but, most libraries have Freud & Jung & Horney already, so, > the question is: is he reputable compared to these other analysts?????? > Any help will be appreciated.
John, here is Paul Roazen�s �take� on Reik in *Freud and his Followers* (1971, pp. 326-327): Among the loyal Viennese apostles of Freud, Theodor Reik (1888-1969) may be the best known to the general reading public today. Throughout Freud's lifetime Reik's writings were serious, sometimes even original. He had a vast knowledge of religion, and Freud encouraged him as a lay analyst. Freud's own book on lay analysis was composed in behalf of Reik, who faced a court case instigated under a Viennese law against quackery. Reik practiced in Berlin and in Holland. At that time there was a good deal of moving about from one psychoanalytic society to another, because of political upheavals and dissatisfaction with local groups. Even in Vienna, and much more so after coming to America, Reik was a lively figure. In Vienna he was the heel-clicking admirer of every word the Professor uttered. Freud took him into analysis for a short time, after the death of Reik's first wife. When he left Europe for the United States, Reik stressed even more his association with Freud. Reik could not get on with the New York analysts, however, so he set up his own training group there. He had always sought to imitate Freud - in his smoking, in his style of writing, and even in the way he talked. Once in America he grew a beard like Freud's. His office walls were covered with photographs depicting various stages of Freud's life; toward Freud personally he maintained the adoration of a schoolboy. Reik's writings, however, became raconteurish, although he did much to spread many central parts of Freud's psychology - such as the importance of masochism in psychoanalytic theory. Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.human-nature.com/esterson/index.html http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=10 --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
