I had to read this graphic novel for history, just like Darwin for Beginners . I enjoyed the humor and subtle subliminal messges in the graphic novel, though at times, I thought they went too far. ( )

Freud revolutionized the way we think about ourselves. His psychoanalytic terms such as Id, Ego, libido, neurosis and Oedipus Complex have become a familiar part of our everyday vocabulary. But do we know what they really mean?
Freud for Beginners successfully demystifies the facts of Freud's discovery of psychoanalysis. Irreverent and witty but never trivial, the book tells the story of Freud's life and ideas from his upbringing in nineteenth century Vienna, his early medical career and his encounter with cocaine to the gradual evolution of his theories on the unconscious, dreams and sexuality. With its combination of brilliantly clever artwork and incisive text, Freud for Beginners has achieved international success as one of the most entertaining and informative introductions to the father of psychoanalysis.

Cartoon-esque ( )

Sigmund Freud was born 150 years ago, in May 1856, and went on to revolutionise the way we think about ourselves. Along with Darwin, Marx and Einstein, he is considered one of the key thinkers of the modern world. However, he excites controversy, with virulent opponents and loyal champions still battling out the meaning and significance of his work. Introducing Freud's irreverent and witty approach, which has made it a bestseller throughout the world, demystifies Freud's psychoanalysis. It tells the story of Freud's life and ideas from his upbringing in 19th-century Vienna to the gradual evolution of his theories on the unconscious, dreams and sexuality.

Including for the first time a thought-provoking discussion of Freud with Jonathan Miller, this is a reasonable introduction to the life and work of this challenging and seminal thinker.

However, it must also be recognised that many of Freud's ideas will remain undecipherable to anyone who has not had the experience of clinical practice of a certain kind.

As with most books "for beginners" it is pretty superficial, but can be useful for looking up facts and odd bits of information in a hurry. ( )