"Dreams tell us many an unpleasant biological truth about ourselves and only very free minds can thrive on such a diet." – Andre Tridon, author, "Psychoanalysis, Sleep and Dreams"
Published in 1921, this book comes years after the publication of the controversial and ground-breaking The Interpretation of Dreams by the same author.
In the first chapter, Dr. Freud first talks about dreams, their significance and meaning. He also explains how he interprets dreams using his technique, psychotherapy.
In the next chapter, he explains the dream mechanism or how elements from real events gets included in or formed into dreams, how dreams are formed, and other related aspects. He then discusses why dreams disguise desires, dream analysis, and other related, and very interesting, topics.
Throughout the book, Dr. Freud cites some of his own experiences in dreaming, as well as those of his patients, as examples. This proves to be helpful in illustrating certain points in the author's arguments or points of discussion and guides the ordinary reader to a better understanding of them.
The author's writing style, which included technical terms that were fleshed out using a conversational tone and choice of words, make this book easy to digest. After all, it has been designed for beginners in the study of psychoanalysis.
In addition, the major points he put forward in The Interpretation of Dreams were also included here, albeit in a more "beginner-friendly" fashion. He still maintains that there is a definite connection between events in one's life and those featured in dreams. He also discusses the concept of "wish fulfillment" in dreams and that many dream visions are symbolic, hence the unusual nature of events and things seen in dreams. He also did not fail to include the sexual aspect in dreaming, where sexual desires play a significant role in the unconscious.
Over all, this edition is highly suitable for those wanting to learn or review the rudiments of dream analysis and psychoanalysis.
