Rising to the light

En savoir plus sur le livre

In 1983, after years of urging Bruno Bettelheim to write his autobiography, Theron Raines, his friend and literary agent, took it upon himself to narrate the life of the renowned yet controversial child psychologist. Raines conducted a series of interviews where Bettelheim reflected on the significant moments of his extraordinary life, leading to a captivating synthesis of their discussions and insights from counselors, teachers, and former students of the famed Orthogenic School. The narrative reveals Bettelheim's dramatic transition from a life of privilege in Vienna to the brutal realities of Dachau and Buchenwald, where his intellect was crucial for survival amid conditions that often shattered a prisoner’s psyche. His experiences in these extreme environments informed his understanding of the parallels between concentration-camp prisoners and disturbed children, shaping his therapeutic approach. The journey continues as he moves from Europe to Chicago, where he created a comprehensive therapeutic environment for children struggling emotionally. Despite lacking formal training, his deep insights into child psychology and Freudian principles positioned him as a successful clinician and best-selling author. However, in his later years, Bettelheim faced a stroke and a profound depression, exacerbated by feelings of uselessness after losing his ability to work. Raines, who visited him in his final weeks, also sheds light on t