Reviews - A Dangerous Method: The Story of Jung, Freud and Sabina Spielrein

9 reviews for:

A Dangerous Method: The Story of Jung, Freud and Sabina Spielrein

To begin, if you have merely a passing interest in the lives and work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung may I suggest that in this instance you just watch the movie. You will get what you want from the book but in a much shorter time frame.
If despite that you still want to put yourself through over 500 pages of a classic (viz. difficult to parse) psychological history paper, then go for it. You'll probably learn something.
I walked away from this book knowing a bit more about two men who helped pioneer one of my favourite areas of psychology and I learnt of a woman who deserved more from life than what she got.
So that was worth it...I guess. Still,... the movie is only 90 minutes.

Edit: The movie isn't that great either.

mollywetta's review against another edition

3.0

Academic but accessible. Enjoyable read.

bailey_t_abbott's review against another edition

3.0

informative slow-paced

Very interesting subject, tiring writing.

bibliobethreads's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting account of Freud and Jung and "the woman who came between them!" Except she didn't. Not REALLY. I haven't seen the film but they always try to sex these things up don't they? With some fascinating insights into the world of psycho-analysis, I was intrigued by this book, and although a bit dry at times, think it would appeal to lovers of psychology.

artismyhammer's review against another edition

3.0

This is interesting and important history, but Kerr unfortunately seems to think that his historical research also qualifies him to declare absolutely which theories are objectively “correct” or “true”, on the basis of their author’s “genius”, with no reference to current scientific understanding and progress is psychology. Furthermore, although he does present most of Spielrein’s side (at least of what is known) he has no self awareness or reflection on his own biases, which leads to some very odd omissions and emphases in his discussion of various texts and events.
If you ware interested in the history of our understanding of the human mind or women in academia and science then I recommend this book, but with the caveat that you will have to put up with unjustified pretensions and blunders.

roxyc's review against another edition

3.0

A fascinating book. However, it is more a book for those with medical knowledge. It is a little dry and clinical with lots of medical jargon. If this book was in plain english it would be able to reach a far wider audience, and would have been more of a captivating tale.