Charles Berg – författare

Charles Berg (1892-1957) trained medically at St Thomas’s Hospital, but before he could qualify the First World War broke out. He served in several medical positions throughout the war, having been released to obtain his medical qualification. After the war he started his career in general practice, but more interested in the causation of illness, went on to train firstly as a psychiatrist, then as a psychoanalyst, working at the Tavistock Clinic for seventeen years. During his time there under the founder Crichton-Miller he learnt to treat patients from the point of view of psychotherapy and eventually opened his own psychiatric and analytical practice.Out of print for many years, the Collected Works of Charles Berg is a great opportunity to revisit some of his finest works including his ‘Sort of Autobiography’. This set will be a useful resource for those interested in the history of psychology, psychiatry, psychoanalysis, queer studies and beyond.

Originally published in 1948 the blurb read: 'Dr Berg has an extraordinary flair for presenting a difficult subject in a most realistic and attractive manner, without sacrifice of scientific essentials.The patients are made to speak for themselves, with the result that we feel actually present at the analytical sessions, sharing the most intimate details of each individual’s life and feelings. Throughout it is alive with real, vivid clinical material. The reader is led through a panorama of troubled minds and disturbed emotions – from the simplest worries and anxieties, through increasing severity of stresses, to incipient major disorders.The whole subject of treatment is reviewed and expounded in compendious detail, concluding with a critical review and revolutionary suggestions for the future.In spite of its novel and entertaining method of exposition, the book covers a surprisingly wide field – the whole field of clinical psychology up to date – and more.' Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.This book is a re-issue originally published in 1948. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1948 the blurb read: 'Dr Berg has an extraordinary flair for presenting a difficult subject in a most realistic and attractive manner, without sacrifice of scientific essentials.The patients are made to speak for themselves, with the result that we feel actually present at the analytical sessions, sharing the most intimate details of each individual’s life and feelings. Throughout it is alive with real, vivid clinical material. The reader is led through a panorama of troubled minds and disturbed emotions – from the simplest worries and anxieties, through increasing severity of stresses, to incipient major disorders.The whole subject of treatment is reviewed and expounded in compendious detail, concluding with a critical review and revolutionary suggestions for the future.In spite of its novel and entertaining method of exposition, the book covers a surprisingly wide field – the whole field of clinical psychology up to date – and more.' Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.This book is a re-issue originally published in 1948. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

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.

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.

Originally published in 1951, the implications of this book were thought to be far wider and deeper than its title suggests.'Hair-activities are chosen merely as a sample of uncritically accepted human behaviour. The author then proceeds to examine them very carefully in the light of dreams, anthropology, folklore, symptoms and perversions. He shows them to be an expression of instinct-driven tensions and conflicts. The popular illusion that they are determined by reason or adaption to reality is exploded. The corollary is inescapable; if in this innocent particular our thoughts and behaviour are symptomatic expressions of an unconscious conflict or complex, how much more psychopathic would our more significant ideas, beliefs, institutions, customs and laws prove to be on similar detailed investigation! Is, therefore, our self-expression in life and civilization nothing more than a symptom, identical in its source and mechanism with the symptoms of nervous and mental illness? The book is really a psychiatric criticism of normality based upon a chosen item of typically normal behaviour. It is, however, written in a way that will be easily understood by every intelligent reader.'This book is a re-issue originally published in 1951. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1951, the implications of this book were thought to be far wider and deeper than its title suggests.'Hair-activities are chosen merely as a sample of uncritically accepted human behaviour. The author then proceeds to examine them very carefully in the light of dreams, anthropology, folklore, symptoms and perversions. He shows them to be an expression of instinct-driven tensions and conflicts. The popular illusion that they are determined by reason or adaption to reality is exploded. The corollary is inescapable; if in this innocent particular our thoughts and behaviour are symptomatic expressions of an unconscious conflict or complex, how much more psychopathic would our more significant ideas, beliefs, institutions, customs and laws prove to be on similar detailed investigation! Is, therefore, our self-expression in life and civilization nothing more than a symptom, identical in its source and mechanism with the symptoms of nervous and mental illness? The book is really a psychiatric criticism of normality based upon a chosen item of typically normal behaviour. It is, however, written in a way that will be easily understood by every intelligent reader.'This book is a re-issue originally published in 1951. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1955, the blurb read: 'Again in this book the author expounds his main thesis – perhaps the main thesis of all modern psychiatry – namely that our conscious pre-occupations, thoughts and behaviour are merely the products or "symptoms" of a process that is going on within us (basically a physiological process) of which we are totally unconscious. Although we are at pains to conceal from ourselves and others, and even vehemently to deny, the nature and the very existence of this fundamental unconscious process, it is nevertheless the determinant of all that is us, biologically, psychologically and sociologically. In the author’s own words: "It is the force behind all activity, all life. It exists unseen in the most apparently superficial human relationship, even in the interview – as this book will show. It alone can give us the meaning of what we do and feel."The theoretical section of the book deals with the interviewer and the unconscious forces which determine the effects and the therapeutic results of the interview. The longer practical section demonstrates, by abundant examples from clinical material and by complete documentaries of actual psychiatric interviews, that it is unconscious forces which determine the patient’s symptomatic picture, his behaviour, his attitude to life, and above all his emotional relationship to the psychiatrist – and indeed to everyone he meets in every personal contact.The elucidation of this process should be of the utmost interest and of the utmost practical value to each of us in our every contact, superficial or deep, with every human being whom we meet in the course of our lives.The book will appeal to a wide public. Although it demonstrates the deepest and most worthwhile aspect of modern psychology and psychiatry, it avoids technical jargon and is written in a cheerful, lively and lucid style, easily assimilable by everybody.'Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context. This book is a re-issue originally published in 1955. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1955, the blurb read: 'Again in this book the author expounds his main thesis – perhaps the main thesis of all modern psychiatry – namely that our conscious pre-occupations, thoughts and behaviour are merely the products or "symptoms" of a process that is going on within us (basically a physiological process) of which we are totally unconscious. Although we are at pains to conceal from ourselves and others, and even vehemently to deny, the nature and the very existence of this fundamental unconscious process, it is nevertheless the determinant of all that is us, biologically, psychologically and sociologically. In the author’s own words: "It is the force behind all activity, all life. It exists unseen in the most apparently superficial human relationship, even in the interview – as this book will show. It alone can give us the meaning of what we do and feel."The theoretical section of the book deals with the interviewer and the unconscious forces which determine the effects and the therapeutic results of the interview. The longer practical section demonstrates, by abundant examples from clinical material and by complete documentaries of actual psychiatric interviews, that it is unconscious forces which determine the patient’s symptomatic picture, his behaviour, his attitude to life, and above all his emotional relationship to the psychiatrist – and indeed to everyone he meets in every personal contact.The elucidation of this process should be of the utmost interest and of the utmost practical value to each of us in our every contact, superficial or deep, with every human being whom we meet in the course of our lives.The book will appeal to a wide public. Although it demonstrates the deepest and most worthwhile aspect of modern psychology and psychiatry, it avoids technical jargon and is written in a cheerful, lively and lucid style, easily assimilable by everybody.'Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context. This book is a re-issue originally published in 1955. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1957, this book was a new departure in autobiographies. It is both enlightening and entertaining. There is a happy blending of narrative, reflection and occasional extracts from case histories which gives it a delightfully human character. But it is more than this. It is a story of the profound inward adventure of an exceptionally inquiring mind. From childhood to professional maturity it proceeds through economic difficulties, love and tribulation to science and general medical practice.It tells how Dr Berg became so convinced of the psychogenesis of human suffering that, with great courage, he gave up his practice and personal security to search for the causes in mental conflict. The story proceeds through specialisation in psychiatry to analytical training and analytic practice, building up in the later chapters to a description of the troubled mind in all its manifestations, and of the medical analyst’s daily work.There is a new explanation of the psychology of love with the inclusion of personal as well as professional experiences. Here, as throughout, conclusions have an astonishing difference from orthodox or familiar speculation, and this is because they are based strictly on knowledge, professional and personal. The style is natural, lively and lucid. Here is an opportunity to combine learning with entertainment for Dr Berg has an extraordinary flair for presenting difficult things attractively, without sacrifice of scientific essentials.This book is a re-issue originally published in 1957. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1957, this book was a new departure in autobiographies. It is both enlightening and entertaining. There is a happy blending of narrative, reflection and occasional extracts from case histories which gives it a delightfully human character. But it is more than this. It is a story of the profound inward adventure of an exceptionally inquiring mind. From childhood to professional maturity it proceeds through economic difficulties, love and tribulation to science and general medical practice.It tells how Dr Berg became so convinced of the psychogenesis of human suffering that, with great courage, he gave up his practice and personal security to search for the causes in mental conflict. The story proceeds through specialisation in psychiatry to analytical training and analytic practice, building up in the later chapters to a description of the troubled mind in all its manifestations, and of the medical analyst’s daily work.There is a new explanation of the psychology of love with the inclusion of personal as well as professional experiences. Here, as throughout, conclusions have an astonishing difference from orthodox or familiar speculation, and this is because they are based strictly on knowledge, professional and personal. The style is natural, lively and lucid. Here is an opportunity to combine learning with entertainment for Dr Berg has an extraordinary flair for presenting difficult things attractively, without sacrifice of scientific essentials.This book is a re-issue originally published in 1957. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

First published in Britain in 1958, the original blurb read: ‘To those whose sex life is based on heterosexual relationships, the homosexual is a grotesque, shadowy creature – a person spoken of with scorn. If you are not one of us, it is impossible to realise our feelings when this occurs. It is incredible to us that a well-educated girl could make the following remark: "What do they look like? I wonder if I’ve ever seen one?"’These words – written by a lesbian and taken from one of the personal histories of homosexual men and women which open this book – might be taken as its theme. In our statistically minded age, we are apt to forget that behind the word homosexual there is always a person. Widespread misconceptions about homosexuality are particularly startling when one considers the disturbing prevalence.The purpose of this book is to bring into public light, the knowledge of the manifestations of the problem, so that they may be openly examined. The book is divided into two parts: Part One presents a collection of revealing autobiographies, diaries, letters and intimate observations in which the homosexuals speak for themselves. Part Two offers an examination of the cause and cure of homosexuality by important figures from all major schools of thought. It includes contributions by Sigmund Freud, C. G. Jung, George W. Henry, Magnus Hirschfield, Wilhelm Stekel and Sandor Ferenczi.In editing this volume, Dr Berg has bridged a significant gap in the scientific approach to sexual behaviour. By bringing to life the feelings, fears, attitudes and anxieties of the human being behind the statistics of homosexual incidence, as well as the causes, it should become indispensable to the movement for intelligent sex education.This book is a re-issue originally published in 1958. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

First published in Britain in 1958, the original blurb read: ‘To those whose sex life is based on heterosexual relationships, the homosexual is a grotesque, shadowy creature – a person spoken of with scorn. If you are not one of us, it is impossible to realise our feelings when this occurs. It is incredible to us that a well-educated girl could make the following remark: "What do they look like? I wonder if I’ve ever seen one?"’These words – written by a lesbian and taken from one of the personal histories of homosexual men and women which open this book – might be taken as its theme. In our statistically minded age, we are apt to forget that behind the word homosexual there is always a person. Widespread misconceptions about homosexuality are particularly startling when one considers the disturbing prevalence.The purpose of this book is to bring into public light, the knowledge of the manifestations of the problem, so that they may be openly examined. The book is divided into two parts: Part One presents a collection of revealing autobiographies, diaries, letters and intimate observations in which the homosexuals speak for themselves. Part Two offers an examination of the cause and cure of homosexuality by important figures from all major schools of thought. It includes contributions by Sigmund Freud, C. G. Jung, George W. Henry, Magnus Hirschfield, Wilhelm Stekel and Sandor Ferenczi.In editing this volume, Dr Berg has bridged a significant gap in the scientific approach to sexual behaviour. By bringing to life the feelings, fears, attitudes and anxieties of the human being behind the statistics of homosexual incidence, as well as the causes, it should become indispensable to the movement for intelligent sex education.This book is a re-issue originally published in 1958. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1959, the blurb read: ‘Dr Berg has made a comprehensive survey of the Wolfenden Report in regard to homosexuality and illustrated his comments with extracts from case material. He points out that whereas public opinion has so far lagged behind the Committee’s main recommendation, scientifically far from being an advance the report may be considered lamentably reactionary. He says; "Perhaps this report is a good lesson in the futility of trying to unravel and assess psychological phenomena without first removing the obstacles to understanding their meaning". The author deals with the subject in his usual forthright, witty and persuasive style, which is easily enjoyed by psychiatrist and layman alike, and the book should be welcomed by all who seek to understand this controversial topic.Later chapters include a discussion of the wider implications of punishment and a new theory of the fundamental nature of Anxiety and Fear.’ Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context. This book is a re-issue originally published in 1959. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1959, the blurb read: ‘Dr Berg has made a comprehensive survey of the Wolfenden Report in regard to homosexuality and illustrated his comments with extracts from case material. He points out that whereas public opinion has so far lagged behind the Committee’s main recommendation, scientifically far from being an advance the report may be considered lamentably reactionary. He says; "Perhaps this report is a good lesson in the futility of trying to unravel and assess psychological phenomena without first removing the obstacles to understanding their meaning". The author deals with the subject in his usual forthright, witty and persuasive style, which is easily enjoyed by psychiatrist and layman alike, and the book should be welcomed by all who seek to understand this controversial topic.Later chapters include a discussion of the wider implications of punishment and a new theory of the fundamental nature of Anxiety and Fear.’ Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context. This book is a re-issue originally published in 1959. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

First published in 1962, the original blurb reads: ‘This provocative book explores the whole range of human thought conduct and beliefs. Commencing with primitive man and his superstitions it goes on to study our present-day cultural institutions, customs, ritual and other behaviour upon which we pride ourselves. All of these are shown to have identical primitive mechanisms and to be subjectively determined without reference to scientific knowledge. These delusions are shown to be mostly undesirable and harmful and the author goes on to state that only objective thinking, scientifically based, can lead to any ultimate good. The later chapters contain an aetiological study of the mind. The author states "If we can consider the human mind in the light of its origin and development we may better appreciate its basic nature and its inevitable limitations". The subject matter is amply illustrated with clinical examples in Dr Berg’s usual lively style. This book is one which will affect all readers. None of us is immune from delusions, however much we may delude ourselves to the contrary, and the presentation of these truths will to some of us seem shocking in the extreme.’ Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.