Sigmund Freud and the History of Anna O.

RICHARD SKUES is a Lecturer in Social Science at the London Metropolitan University, UK. His research specialism is in the early history of psychoanalysis and the life of Sigmund Freud.

'For more than fifty years, the case of Anna O. has been scrutinized by many of the most distinguished historians of psychoanalysis. Now in this meticulously researched and brilliantly argued book, Richard Skues demonstrates that almost everything that has passed for common knowledge about the case has been wrong. Skues sets a new standard for psychoanalytic scholarship, and both Josef Breuer and future generations will be permanently in his debt.' -Peter L. Rudnytsky, Professor of English, University of Florida, USA, and Editor of American Imago 'Skues's book is a meticulous stock-taking of what can be historically verified, of the development of the established facts, of the contributions of the important authors and their respective internal integrity and tendentiousness...the book is commendable and worth reading.' Psychoanalysis and History, 10 (1), 2008 -Albrecht Hirschmuller, author of The Life and Work of Josef Breuer. '[His] substantial thesis is elaborated by eye-opening interpretations of all known sources in their own context as well as sound reflections on the retrospective revaluation on Anna O. in the light of the emerging psychoanalysis ... What pleases most is Skues's well balanced and fair judgement on all the participants in the discourse on Anna O., enriched now and then with gentle irony.' Gesnerus. Swiss Journal of the History of Medicine and Sciences 64 (3/4), 2007 -Gerald Kreft, Edinger-Institut, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

• Preface Introduction: The Changing History of a Case History PART I: THE EVOLUTION OF THE CASE The 1882 Documents Subsequent Evidence The Publication of the Case Study Freud's Account - Reconstructions Defence and Sexuality Transference and the Faustian Imperative PART II: THE EVOLUTION OF THE LEGEND The Birth of the Legend: Ernest Jones The Development of the Legend: Henri Ellenberger The Maturation of the Legend: The Derivative Literature Conclusion Appendix Notes References