Memories, Dreams, Reflections Paperback – 1 Jun. 1989

Writing about this book is a pleasure as it rates as one of my favourite books ever. It is, according to James Hillman, who studied under Jung, a book that is healing for many. It's easy to understand why, as it records many impressions from Jung's life which include things many regard as perhaps mad, or strange. It is a book that suggests an honouring of one's own inner truth and experience. It's also a book that allows many people to appreciate Jung's thinking better because this comes form more personal experience than his more scholarly writings which can be difficult.More recent scholarship by Sonu Shamdasani, has cast some doubts, about how much of the book was actually written by Jung. Some of this can be seen in the introduction by Jung's secretary who tells the story of how the book was written. Much of what is here is taken from interviews she conducted with him, though she says some of the early chapters were actually written by him, as were some of the later thoughts, which strike me as wonderfully profound, and observing some of the mysteries of being in a philosophical/reflective mode, and not necessarily providing fixed answers. The early chapters concentrate on how he grew up, Jung's relationship with his parents and his decision to study medicine. There are also chapters about his relationship with Sigmund Freud, Jung's travels to Africa and America, his confrontation with the unconscious and the final reflections where Jung states how near the end of his life he felt still felt unfamiliar with himself.Much of this can be seen as myth making. There are many things which were left out, some of them more because of Jung's successors wishes than the man himself. Yet in it there is still much that is moving and interesting even if there is often little that reveals much about his relationships with his wife and family, though he states they helped ground him at a time described as his confrontation with the unconscious, which some others would call a breakdown. We now know more about this from The Red Book: Liber Novus (Philemon) which is mentioned in the text and some dreams recorded in it also appear in this book. That said this is still a fascinating read about Jung's interior landscape which many will find of value.Now some words about this Stellar Classics edition. It has on the cover a facsimile of an old cover which was on British Fontana editions of the text, with the famous Karsh portrait there. On the back there is one of the Cartier Bresson photos of the man, one of which appeared in American editions. The text itself appears to be a facsimile of the Fontana edition available elsewhere with different cover. There are none of the photographic plates from the British edition, and none of the text of the Six Sermons on the Dead which appeared in American editions. This one is also in larger type. Details to consider if purchasing the book for the first time. All current paperback editions I know are well produced. I leave it to readers to choose which they prefer.

Not just an autobiography but a great piece of self analysis, honest statement of faith and principles from one of the great explorers of the human mind

I read this book a year ago now and I think it is a good comprehensive insight into Jung and his thinking style. He goes in to depth about his encounters with figures in dreams and he has several foreshadowing dreams that are quite interesting. Overall, I would recommend this book if you want to get to know Jung's thinking and a summary of his life.

Although presented as an autobiography, 'Memories, Dreams, Reflections' was the project of German Jungian Analyst Aniela Jaffe, written with the permission and assistance of C G Jung in his very late years. It is not, at his request, considered part of his 'Collected Works'.Jung's personal relationships are outside the scope of this book - rather he agreed only to share aspects of his life relevant to his ideas. To ensure this, Jung himself wrote the chapters concerning his childhood and school days, and also a chapter 'Late Thoughts' which is a commentry on how the carefully selected exposures are linked to his life's work.Chapters primarily written by Jaffe cover Jung's divergence from Freudian Psychology, his confrontation with his own unconscious (which really helps unlock the meaning behind his famous 'Red Book'), influences from other cultures and summaries of his major works. All are illustrated using real case examples and vivid dream recollections and make for an enjoyable read.Perhaps the most frank and revealing part of the book is the brief final chapter in which a somewhat solemn tone is taken in describing a path that was in many ways lonely to experience.Whilst it is by no means a substitution for Jung's papers themselves, this book is a very compelling insight into the life and experiences that led to the development of his theories. It adds a new level of understanding to a serious student, and provides an easy to read account of a highly influential psychologist to many others.

Great

I was worried from the reviews of this book that it would be too intellectual and insufficiently intimate or personal. I had no need to be concerned. This is a beautiful, inspiring piece of work which nurtures the soul.I'd have liked Jung to have expressed some contrition about inappropriate relationships he is understood to have had with patients, which for me, as an ex therapy patient, is a huge no no.He doesn't go into personal relationships but he could have made some sort of indication of regret.Likewise, I feel he slightly glosses over the nastier aspects of his split with Freud, though the way he details this relationship does help explain why things became so acrimonious between them.This book helps me with my own life and lets me know I am not alone in seeing things the way I do.It's enjoyable and mostly pretty easy to read. Surprisingly it is also hard to put down as my heart reaches hungrily for further insights into my life's deepest problems.