This is a totally adequate introduction to Freud and his approach to psychoanalysis. We see the development of his thought around a few key themes, and the book’s structure made a lot of sense.

The real strength of the book was the author’s recognition that Freud constructed a whole system of thought, rather than just a medicalized approach to neurosis (which may have been Freud’s aim). His own interests were not in therapeutic practice but in exploring larger ideas through his patients; I think he was too interested in the world beyond medicine. Freud can talk all he want about how he isn’t interested in philosophy, but that doesn’t stop him from being a philosopher.

Even so, the author continuously attempts to evaluate Freud’s interventions from the perspective of more contemporary trends in psychoanalysis. From that perspective, Freud is important for inventing the field, but his work is flawed at best. Still, it’s interesting, and that’s all I care about.