First published in 1947, with a second edition in 1950, the original blurb reads: 'This is an illuminating description of a complete Freudian analysis of a single case. From the first interview to the last the reader's attention is engrossed with the almost-normal personality of the individual who is being analysed. We see his thoughts, philosophy, and emotions gradually unfolding under the application of analytical technique (lightly explained in the second chapter), until – and this is where the book is such a tremendous advance upon the psychological novel – the very springs and mechanisms of his psychic pattern and emotional structure are abundantly and lucidly revealed. We see and understand the hidden depths of the nature of the human mind, and obtain introductory insight not only into normal mental functioning, but into almost all its psychopathic aberrations including frigidity, impotence, love, hate, hysteria, obsessions, and even paranoia and schizophrenia – all in minor degrees an integral part of normality.
In spite of this the book is light reading and, though particularly instructive to doctor and professional psychologist, understandable to the average intelligent layman.'
This book is a re-issue originally published in 1950. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.