Freud

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Using newly published correspondence, this provocative biography sheds light on debates surrounding Sigmund Freud's theories. It reveals how abandoning the seduction theory—asserting that all neuroses stem from childhood molestation—triggered a mid-life crisis for Freud, ultimately leading to the creation of psychoanalysis. The book examines personal letters exchanged between Freud and his childhood friend Eduard Silberstein, his fiancée Martha Bernays, and confidant Wilhelm Fliess, offering insights into Freud's evolution as both a man and a thinker. Peter M. Newton captures the drama of Freud's first love and heartbreak, his ambitious adolescence, and the creative accomplishments of his mid-life transition. By applying a developmental theory to Freud's life, Newton charts the evolution of his thought through various developmental stages. Contrary to popular belief, Freud aspired not only to be a scholar but also a revolutionary healer, with these two identities competing for dominance throughout his life. The book addresses the years of Freud's transition to middle age, countering Jeffrey Masson's claim that Freud abandoned the seduction theory for political reasons. Instead, it was the weight of his clinical experiences that led to this shift. Newton's exploration of Freud's mid-life crisis poses critical questions about identity and purpose, making this a significant study for those seeking to understand one of history