REICH SPEAKS OF FREUD

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 3, 1967

About half of this book consists of a two day interview conducted in 1952 in which Reich ostensibly spoke about Freud whose libido theory he scientifically substantiated (the editors contend) with his discovery of ""tangible physical energy""--ergo orgone. Since the editors also feel that there has been a great deal of ""slanderous fiction"" about Reich and his relationship to Freud, and that the libido theory has been professionally discarded, the interview has presumptive validity. This is difficult to establish however through the heated remarks and arrant assumptions of the man who was not only a pariah within the profession but ended up in prison where he died. In the interview, Reich talks not only about Freud (his cancer--""follows a giving up of hope""--the dullness of his marriage--his reluctance to be a Jew--his dismissal of medical men as ""quacks"" and his repudiation of Reich: ""While I defended his work, he didn't want to support me."" Understandably). He also talks about other analysts and their private lives, his own role in The Sexual Revolution, his defamation as a schizophrenic, ""scoundrel,"" Communist....""everybody thought I was psychotic."" From these ""streamings,"" one is inclined to think that he was. The work here is carefully footnoted and the second half consists of miscellaneous letters and comments Reich made at other times. The book may have some interest for his residual acolytes.

Pub Date: Nov. 3, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION