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The reviewer welcomes the appearance of the translation of Aichhorn's “Verwahrloste Jugend,” representing as it does the point of view of a worker in the field of delinquency who has been successful. It is indeed refreshing to read through these pages, clearly written and admirably setting forth the author's methods and point of view. Confronted with a problem of a delinquent youth, he goes at its solution in a thoroughly scientific way. He endeavors, first, to uncover the dynamic factors which account for what has happened and then develops a strategy for changing the reactions of the delinquent individual to bring them into conformity with ideals which will be constructive and socially acceptable. Here there are no words of blame, no questions of moral turpitude, no condemnations as sinful, no unloosing of feelings of anger and resentment expressed in recommendations for punishment, but a careful sizing up of all the factors with an effort at handling the situation in a way that will produce the best results, salvaging as much as is possible, understanding as deeply as necessary.
A special feature of the book which is of great value is his careful presentation of his case material. So much of the psychoanalytic literature presents the case material only in the form of conclusions. Here actual conversations with the patients are set down word for word so that the reader may know exactly what happens and the inferences from what the patient and the relatives say is recorded. It is an admirable presentation of the possibilities of the interview, rather discouraging to be sure to anyone who has not the keen intuitive insight of the author but nevertheless very real and instructive. It is largely because of this very careful and admirably presented material that the book constitutes more than just a discussion of wayward youth. It is an excellent introduction to psychoanalysis for it shows really in a most convincing and