The 'xxx for beginners' are marvellous not just because they give you a valuable grounding in forbidding subjects, allowing you to approach primary texts with more confidence, but because they are so entertaining, even in subjects you have little interest in. Though this book is a much-needed introduction to and exposition of Freud's basic theories, making you feel clever as you join the dots you always knew were there but for the intimidating jargon, the real joy is in the irreverent presentation, especially the illustrations. These are full of in-jokes about Freud's life and times which are not always treated explicitely in the text, as well as being technically expert, imaginative and, sometimes, bracingly shocking. So while it is pleasing, in these anti-Freudian times, to be reminded of the man's incalculable importance and influence, the illustrations offer an in-built critique that puts everything in perspective. Great fun.

This book is just a book, but a better book than its successor of the same title by Richard Osborne. Mostly because it does not hang onto the relationship between Jung and Freud as long and focuses more on the theories of Freud. In fact, what I really enjoyed about this book is that gave a good round about summary of most of Freuds theories inside each book. Certainly acts a good stepping stone for those who need to know Freud in a hurry and wants the gist of his work. Richard Appignanesi displays good understanding of Freuds work and summarizes it well and concise. Reccomended for the prodigal psychologist.

(See page 79 for explanation and a very funny illustration of the second stage of psychosexual development). This book, in addition to being very informative, is also incredibly funny. Very well written and drawn; though in the form of a comic book, it is nevertheless a splendid introduction to Freud's life and work. The author and illustrator are quite witty as well as knowledgeable, and in this book they have succeeded at what should be the goal of all beginners' book writers: piqued my interest in the subject and made me want to learn more. Would be a great supplementary text in a course on Freud or on psychology/psychoanalysis in general. Highly recommended!

Collaboratively written by Lisa Appignanesi and John Forrester, Freud's Women: Family, Patients, Followers is an exhaustive, in-depth look at the women involved in the life and work of Sigmund Freud, who is often thought of as the father of modern psychology. Freud's many female patients, followers, and family members are surveyed and discussed in an informative blend of biography, history, and study of the founding of psychoanalysis. An exhaustively researched and detailed book, Freud's Women is very highly recommended for the History of Psychoanalysis academic reference collections, and Freudian Psychology supplement reading lists.

I found this book in the "mystery" section, but it is far more than that. I haven't read a book this sumptuous, erotic- in the best way- or intriguing for years. It is a layered story that compels you into the life of a woman who thinks/knows herself to be "bad"-- and far from the "good woman" she yearns to be.After realizing where her uncaring ways have led her- to an empty escape to a beautiful apartment in Paris, she strives to find the peace of mind that has evaded her. When she runs across her schoolfriend, that she discarded because she was jealous of the connection she had with her mother- in an antique store, it sends her spiralling into memories and emotions long forgotten. There is a despair and eloquence that runs deep throughout that will make you ache. If you are a woman- you may understand. If you are a man, you will ache to know a woman like this. It has made me want to move to Paris. I am actually going there for a month now, to find this fascinating place that evokes such tortured thoughts and beautiful prose in this writers' mind. I cannot recommend it more. I will read it over again. There are parts in it you will never forget, for the sheer beauty and depth of them.

I picked up this book at random in a used bookstore, and as I have always enjoyed Salman Rushdie's writing I thought I would give it a read. I was wholly amazed by what I learned.
First of all, I can honestly say I did not catch any of the slights to Islam when I read The Satanic Verses, as I am very uneducated in Islamic culture. After starting the Rushdie File, I became uncertain as to whether I understood any of the main points of The Satanic Verses, but I do remember enjoying it. So there is at least a small lesson about the Islamic religion (especially as it relates to The Satanic Verses) in this book for anyone who is uninformed about it.
Even more importantly, however, and not entirely separately, is how much there is to be learned about Islamic culture. A lot of the articles go very far in explaining just why the Muslim community was so outraged by the passages, which, from an average Western sensibility, is not necessarily clear. And if you are like me, it might be hard to read certain parts of this book. I had a very hard time reading the calls for Rushdie's death, and an even harder time trying to understand why and how masses of people could react the way they did. It is a good educational experience for anyone who is baffled by the differences in culture that were brought to light by this incident. Some of these articles do not paint the Islamic culture in a flattering light, especially in my opinion, as a person who would never support censorship. But one of the best articles of the bunch talks about the difference between "interpreting" and "advocating" - that the West must understand Islamic culture and why our viewpoints can be so different before we can try to live in the same world peacefully, but also reminds that that is different from agreeing with how the other culture behaves.
This book also brings home the point that there are never only 2 sides to any issue. Every person will have a different viewpoint, and it is important for every person to think for herself before just accepting one party line or the other. This is displayed in The Rushdie File by the enormous amount of divergent opinions represented by the choice of material included, and there is guaranteed to be something for everyone to both agree and disagree with.

If you've read Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses and want to know more about the controversy over the book and the death sentence placed on him by the Ayatollah Khomeini, this book provides a variety of articles from critics, political leaders, authors, and reporters on the events that occurred after publication of Rushdie's novel and the issues that caused them. I found it to be very helpful in understanding what parts of the book exactly were found to be particularly offensive by Muslims, since my own knowledge of Islamic traditions and culture is lacking. Since it is a compilation of many sources, it provides a wide array of opinions and perspectives that help to shed light on differing views of censorship, freedom, tolerance, and sacredness.