Sex vs Survival: The Life and Ideas of Sabina Spielrein

(Paperback)

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Who was Sabina Spielrein' She is probably best known for her notorious affair with Carl Jung, which was dramatized in the film A Dangerous Method, starring Keira Knightley. Yet her life story is much more compelling than just one famous relationship. Spielrein overcame family and psychological abuse to become a profoundly original thinker in her own right. Sex Versus Survival is the first biography to put her life and ideas at the center of the story and examine Spielrein 's key role in the development of psychoanalysis. Drawing on fresh research into Spielrein 's diaries, papers, and correspondence, John Launer shows how Spielrein 's overlooked ideas rejected by Freud and Jung but substantially vindicated by later developments in psychology and evolutionary biology may represent the least and most important stage in the rediscovery of an extraordinary life.

Reviews

'An excellent book and a labor of love, a gripping account of Spielrein's life and work, illuminated by a narrative of contemporaneous historical events'Henry Lothane, Journal of American Psychoanalytical Association

'Spielrein emerges from the murk with more credit than either Freud or Jung. She pushed on with her career at the forefront of child psychology'Spectator

'Launer's well researched book is a tribute to a remarkable woman who, by analysing her own experience of abuse, went on to make a difference to others as a leading child psychologist... This memorable book finally gives her the recognition she deserves' The Lady

'Launer is not just Spielrein's biographer, he is her champion. He gives the neglected female at last the place she deserves in the development of the talking therapies'Jewish Chronicle

'Remarkable, ground-breaking work... With grace and scholarly passion, Launer offers a radical new biography that places Spielrein where she belongs as a figure of major importance in twentieth century thought'Professor Stephen Frosh, Birkbeck College and author of For and Against Psychoanalysis

'This is an absorbing account... Launer clearly finds his subject inspiring, particularly in her attempts to synthesize the work of Freud, Jung, and Eugen Bleuler with the evolutionary thinking of Charles Darwin'Times Literary Supplement

'This wonderful book is the first full-length biography in English of Sabina Spielrein... as John Launer reveals, a highly original thinker whose work is only now becoming appreciated'Professor Michael J. Reiss, University of London

Author Bio

John Launer is a doctor, family therapist, educator and writer. He is on the senior staff at the Tavistock Clinic, the leading training institute in the United Kingdom for psychological treatment. He is also associate dean for postgraduate medical education at London University. He has published five previous books including 'How not to be a doctor, and other essays,' commended as a Book of the Year by the British Medical Association. John is a well-known columnist for national and international medical journals. He is married to Lee Wax and they have twins, Ruth and David. Details of John 's work and writing can be found at http://www.johnlauner.com