Freud in Germany. Revolution and Reaction in Science, 1893-1907. Psychological Issues, Monogr. 41: By Hannah S. Decker. New York: International Universities Press, 1977, xi + 364 pp., $28.50 (soft cover, $22.50).

Decker's book has two purposes. One is historical, the second, critical. As to the historical aspect, Decker describes Freud's early ideas, the situation of the German culture and society, and the psychological, psychiatric, and politico-social thought of the period 1893-1907 in order to examine the German response to early psychoanalysis. The second purpose is to show that Freud's often stated opinion that he was ignored, unappreciated, or reviled at that time was historically inaccurate and that in fact, his writings were read, seriously discussed, and influential. The historical information she gives has a value for those interested in the evolution of psychoanalytic ideas. The political, critical use to which Decker puts the information she presents, to fault Freud, to reveal him as a neurotic, will have a value to those who, while they may or may not be interested in the development of psychoanalysis, have some desire to diminish Freud.

Freud is generally regarded as one of the towering discoverers, revolutionaries, and creators of history. He associated himself with heroic peers: biblical figures such as Joseph and Moses, and historic ones such as Plato and Leonardo. He wrote of them as a colleague would, as forebears, rivals, and human beings resembling himself. He speculated about their personal psychologies as he investigated his own. Freud had Promethean ambitions.