Jung: A Very Short Introduction

I bought this as a gift for my husband. He's interested in Jung's views but find him too difficult to read in the original. He's delighted with this book because it gives a good introduction to Jung in words a layman can understand without it being dumbed down.

Great little book, the author writes in a way which makes Jung's psychological theories easier to understand than some of the other literature I have attempted to read. I really enjoyed the down to earth exploration of his life and relationships particularly his relationship with Freud, their beliefs and differences.

A really nice little book. I'd already read a fair bit of Jung and this taught me what I already knew plus a fair amount I didn't, in a really simple accessible way.

It would not be an exaggeration to describe the encounter with Jung's ideas as utterly transmogrifying. This not insubstantial book is extremely well-written, and a delight to read. It manages to perfectly couple anecdotes and major biographical information with the ideas developed by Jung. A key focus in the book is how Jung came into a relationship with Freud but later developed courage enough to part ways. Jung's well-known confrontation with his consciousness followed, and he afterward found new clarity in developing his magnificent theories of psychology, psychoanalysis and treatment, and the book also explains Jung's revolutionary approach to patient care and analysis. The explanations of archetypes, persona, the shadow and Jung's exegesis of dreams and myths are stunningly clear. Yet throughout, the author does not compromise on academic rigour of language and style, providing large numbers of quotes from the collected works of Jung, and others. The author confronts all the common objections to Jung's ideas, making reference to his correspondence and life events. The book comes full circle in relating aspects of Jung's own personality and childhood experiences to his breakthroughs. I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful book as an excellent summary of Jung.

This superb little book is the perfect introduction/overview to the life and work of Jung. It is eminently accessible and doesn't presuppose any prior knowledge on the reader's part, yet it avoids both oversimplification and confusion. It begins by tracing the development of Jung's ideas in the context of his life and then moves on to examine the major themes such as archetypes and personality types, and Jung's approach to dreams and to therapy. In each instance, the author skilfully places Jung's work within the thinking of his time, including (but by no means limiting himself to) abundant comparisons and contrasts with the work of Freud, and then goes on to examine the validity and relevance of Jung's work today. Stevens doesn't ignore Jung's interest in for example alchemy or mysticism but rather relates these interests to Jung's overall perspective, thus revealing their ultimately practical applications while giving the reader a vivid picture of Jung's world-view. The author finishes by outlining the arguments of Jung's critics and responding to them. The definitive introduction, and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I was new to Jung and found this book helpful and understandable. The introductory chapter gives a potted life, including the critical points of Jung's life, with Freud and then his subsequent illness. I do recommend this if you need a quick guide. It does what it says on the cover.

I have studied various works by Jung and, as most of us have, had heard many concepts and quotes attributed to him. I found this introduction to be very enlightening because it focused as much on the man - his upbringing, family, education, and the context of teachers and teachings within which he operated. This gave me a much clearer understanding of where his quotes, ideas and concepts came from - and how revolutionary many of htem were. The way the book swings from the macro of the zeitgeist within which his ideas were birthed, to the personal issues and struggles of the sage himself, helped me to identify with a man who was sure he was on a journey - and had a resposibility to share what he had learned. What was also very enlightening was the way that a couple of Jung's most significant personal dreams were described and interpreted. I love the way Jung is described as one who didn't lock things down as 'the truth' but was always open to refinement, augmentation and even plain correction. It's also clear that under all his psycho-analysings, he had a strong concept of a personal God - but equally felt that God's logic was somewhat flawed and could do with man's help on the couch. (Ok, I know....Jung never used couches in his sessions, but it's an interesting idea.)

I was a little suspicious of this book taking on such a monumental psychology as C G Jung but I was really excited by its all encompassing concise but comprehensive content. I particularly likes the way it mentions others that have found his works to be proved true in other disciplines. This is a great little book if your off on a project that means looking at the Collective Works (as I have) this book has you popping back to re-read sections to remind you of certain concepts. It really is a little treasure house that makes you think about the whole of his work and how powerful and far ranging it is. Many people sniff at his ideas and yet it is so obvious he has made an impact that is so evident today - its a pity that the more dogmatic do not take these ideas into account and maybe we would find a new way to treat so many people. His work calls out for a new synthesis and being able to work even, dare I say it, individuation in the main stream NHS.

Bien

Con poco te llevas una idea estupenda del Jung. Creo que merece la pena. Algo más de los conceptos clave estaría bien

Very informative. Gave a good history, and also convincingly explained some of Jung's more challenging ideas (like the collective unconscious).

The Very Short Introduction runs the gamut in quality. This has to be the best in that I've read in the series. I claim this no only because it Stevens presents a very clear and accessible exposition of Jungian concepts and principles, but also because Stevens is a great writer. His writing rises to the level of literature in its expression and use of words and metaphors. You are therefore exposed not just to Jung's genius but also to Stevens' writing prowess. This book has encouraged not only to delve more into Jung but to do so as much as possible through Stevens.

Un excellent ouvrage dur Jung, sa vie, son oeuvre.je crois que ceux qui souhaitent découvrir Jung peuvent commencer par "Ma vie" et enchainer par celui-ci. Vivant, se lit comme un roan