Freud on the Couch: A Critical Introduction to the Father of Psychoanalysis

Freud's status as one of the most preeminent thinkers of the 20th century means we tend to assume we know what he said rather than truly engaging with his ideas. Beverley Clack reveals a more complex Freud - a Freud unencumbered by the mistranslations, cliches and misconceptions that commonly surround his work. Casting new light on a man often unfairly derided as obsessed with sex and rigid theory, Clack argues that he was as concerned with "the death drive" as the "sex drive" and that his fierce critique of religion masked a fascination with spiritual, existential, and philosophical questions. Exploring how his life influenced his thought, Clack explains all of Freud's key ideas and case studies in the context of the time and highlights why his work is still so relevant today.