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The International Psycho-Analytical Press is to be congratulated on having been able to issue as its first volume this interesting collection of the late Professor Putnam's contributions to Psycho-Analysis. In view of Professor Putnam's eminent position as a neurologist, his championship of Psycho-Analysis has rightly come to be looked upon as a factor of
great importance in the history of Psycho-Analysis in English-speaking countries, and there can be no doubt that with his death in 1918 the movement lost a loyal friend, a staunch supporter and an investigator distinguished by unusual breadth of view, openness of mind, courage and ability. His writings on Psycho-Analysis were, however, scattered through a considerable number of European and American periodicals, some being written in English, others in German, so that the present volume will be of great service to the English-speaking student at the same time as it provides a welcome memorial to a remarkable and noble personality.
The book consists of twenty-two essays: some of these are chiefly devoted to the exposition of psycho-analytical doctrine; others present original clinical material; while still others suggest certain extensions of the generally accepted psycho-analytical point of view. On all subjects Professor Putnam writes with a charm and lucidity that is too often lacking in psycho-analytical literature, and even in matters in which the reader may be inclined to disagree with the author there is much to be gained from a close study of his views, which are always tolerant, broad-minded and suggestive, and which are put forward in a manner that gives evidence of a most unusual combination of intense earnestness and engaging modesty.
As regards the expository writings, nothing need be said except that they are excellent throughout and are of such a kind as to remove from the doctrines of Psycho-Analysis that appearance of absurdity, 'far-fetchedness', or repulsiveness, which less skilful presentation