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In the introduction to this very interesting and illuminating study the Bernfelds attempt to present Freud's memories and his own analysis of his early childhood, and do not attempt to psychoanalyze any further. They mainly use Freud's own references; the historical background for the various settings of Freud's early years is based on works of many authoritative historians. The authors carefully point out relevant factors referable to Freud's birth as well as to the geographical, political and economic constellation in the places in which he lived.
It is very striking how intricate and unusual was Freud's family set-up. Particularly significant is the fact that Freud's father was so much older than his mother and that he had a half-brother who was twenty years his senior. The disappearance of a beloved, but ugly and bitter nurse named Nancy and the birth, when Freud was two and one half years old, of a sister, seem to have been of major importance in his early development. At the age of three he started on a long journey to a new city, Leipzig, where he spent a year and then moved on to Vienna. Here political, economic and racial questions seem to have played a decisive rôle. It is to be stressed that the authors have very painstakingly gathered this information and have presented their material carefully and simply.