Sabina Spielrein and the Beginnings of Psychoanalysis: Image, Thought, and Language

Sabina Spielrein is a significant and tragic figure in psychoanalytic history, often misunderstood or underestimated by her fellow analysts. Her story has been forgotten and repressed, but her theoretical innovations at the foundations of psychoanalysis are being re-evaluated. This book offers new insights into her life and works, with twelve new translations of her writings, including the first ever translations into English. It is of great significance to psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, psychologists, and scholars of psychoanalysis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 374 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Sabina Spielrein, a complex and enigmatic figure, stands as both an influential and tragic figure in the realm of psychoanalysis. Her contributions, often misunderstood or underestimated by her fellow analysts, including Jung and Freud, have been largely overlooked in the annals of psychoanalytic history. However, her story has not only been forgotten but actively repressed as the representative of a trauma buried in the early origins of psychoanalysis.

In her groundbreaking work, Sabina Spielrein and the Beginnings of Psychoanalysis, Felicity Brock Kelcourse, Pamela Cooper-White, Klara Naszkowska, and Adrienne Harris join the growing field of scholarship that explores Spielreins distinctive and significant theoretical innovations at the foundations of psychoanalysis. This book serves as a valuable new English language source for some of Spielreins key works, providing readers with a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of her life and works.

The book is organized into four chapters, each written by a distinguished scholar, who delves into different aspects of Spielreins life and examines her works in depth. Through fresh insights and perspectives, these chapters shed light on Spielreins influence not only on Jung and Freud but also on other influential theorists such as Piaget in Geneva and Vygotsky and Luria in Moscow.

A comprehensive timeline is included, providing readers with important historical context, including Spielrein, Freud, Jung, other theorists, and significant historical events in Europe from 1850 to 1950. This timeline enhances the understanding of Spielreins place within the broader psychoanalytic landscape and her interactions with other influential figures.

In addition to the scholarly chapters, the book features twelve new translations of works by Spielrein, ten of which are the first ever translations into English from the original French, German, or Russian. These translations offer a fresh avenue for readers to access Spielreins writings and further explore her ideas and theories.

It is evident that Spielreins life and works are currently undergoing a serious and necessary critical reclamation. The fascinating chapters in this book serve as a testament to the importance of revisiting and reassessing her contributions to psychoanalysis. Sabina Spielrein and the Beginnings of Psychoanalysis will be of immense significance to all psychoanalysts, psychoanalytic psychotherapists, analytical psychologists, and scholars of psychoanalysis who are interested in Spielrein and the early development of the field.

By shedding light on the complexities of her life and work, this book contributes to a deeper understanding of the origins of psychoanalysis and its evolution. It encourages scholars and practitioners to reexamine the historical narratives and recognize the contributions of individuals such as Spielrein, who have been marginalized or overlooked in the past.

In conclusion, Sabina Spielrein and the Beginnings of Psychoanalysis is a groundbreaking work that reclaims the legacy of a remarkable woman who played a pivotal role. This book offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Spielreins life and works, providing new perspectives and translations that shed light on her influence and contributions to the field. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and enthusiasts alike, and contributes to the ongoing critical reclamation of her legacy.

Weight: 596g
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138098657