A Dream of Undying Fame

How Freud Betrayed His Mentor and Invented Psychoanalysis

By: Louis Breger

Narrated by: Nick Sullivan

In 1877, a young Freud met an established physician named Josef Breuer and they began a collaboration that would lead to the publication of the classic work Studies on Hysteria. But by the time it released, Freud was moving to establish himself as a major figure in the treatment of mentally ill patients, and would let no one stand in his way. He consequently minimized Breuer's contributions, betraying his former mentor and benefactor.

In A Dream of Undying Fame, renowned psychologist Louis Breger narrates the story behind the creation of Studies as well as the case of Anna O., which helped contribute to Freud's definition of neurosis. Breger reveals that Freud's own self-mythologizing and history not only affected everything he did in life, but also helped shape his emerging beliefs about psychoanalysis.

Illustrating the importance of personality and social context behind an intellectual breakthrough, Breger provides an in-depth look at a field that reshaped our understanding of what it means to be human.

©2009 Louis Breger (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Author clearly has a father issue with Freud

I'm half-way through listening to this book, and I'm finding biographical tidbits that are interesting. But the overwhelming impression is that this author has unprocessed issues regarding disappointment, betrayal, disillusionment and de-idealization when it comes to a father figure like Freud. He spares no effort in trying to trivialize and reframe Freud's accomplishments as those of an ambitious fame-seeking narcissist. On top of that the narrator has a penchant for enunciating every syllable perfectly and adopting a rather sarcastic tone when quoting Freud.

It's a shame Audible doesn't have more to choose from when it comes to psychoanalytic material. So for those with a need to delve into this material, there are rewards to listening to this book. But take it with a grain of salt.