For one who would gain a rounded and coherent and at the same time intelligible view of the fundamentals of the Freudian psychology this work of Hitschmann's is to be recommended. It is the only work of its kind in any language and in its English translation, fortunately very well rendered, puts the reader in touch with the most original and penetrating ideas of the past decade. These relate not only to the psychoneuroses and psychoses but are ideas destined to play a large role in the interpretation of the development of thought and culture throughout the centuries.