Freud: A Life for Our Time

In this seminal biography, Professor Gay reconstructs the life, times and ideas of Sigmund Freud. Drawing on a vast stock of unpublished documents, including unknown or inaccessible letters, Peter Gay probes Freud's mind, uncovers his passions and follows his astonishing career. He discloses the dimensions of Freud's love for his daughter Anna and offers fascinating accounts of Freud's often strained relations with his colleagues and followers. He deals frankly and fully with the controversies that have surrounded Freud's friendships, his love life and his theories. More than any other author, Gay integrates into Freud's life his case histories, papers, theories and cultural criticism, revealing the total Freud - student, physician, psychologist, lover, husband, father, friend, founder, controversialist, Jew, victim and victor.