Publications

LOST CHILDHOOD

Edited by Judit Szekacs-Weisz and Ivan Ward

FERENCZI AND HIS WORLD

Edited by Judit Szekacs and Tom Keve

Karnac Books, London, 2012 

Ferenczi’s analysand, John Rickman wrote of his “penetrating observations on the way in which the mind, to conceal from itself its own defencelessness in the presence of what is felt to be overwhelming and disruptive internal excitement, either attributes to the external world what really belongs within itself or attributes to itself what is really external”. Rickman characterised a central strain throughout Ferenczi’s work, from his "Stages in the Development of the Sense of Reality" (1913) to his “Confusion of Tongues between Adults and the Child” (1933)., which remains essential to psychoanalytic thinking today.  Because Ferenczi’s reputation has suffered at the rumour mill of psychoanalytic politics, the continuity and creativity of his thinking has often been obscured. This collection of papers by his foremost commentators and heirs takes a considerable step towards reminding us not just of his importance in the development of psychoanalysis but of the freshness of his thinking in 2012.  All those interested in understanding the relation between internal and external, mind and body as well those interested in Ferenczi the man and clinician would do well to savour this volumes.

Ken Robinson, psychoanalyst, the Honorary Archivist, Archives of the British Psychoanalytical Society

FERENCZI FOR OUR TIME

Edited by Judit Szekacs and Tom Keve

Karnac Books, London, 2012 

This volume reflects the sensitive understanding of the editors, aided by their deep embededness in Ferenczi’s complex world -- of his prolonged and ongoing influence, by his writings and, equally importantly, by his personal impact, handed down through generations. The book demonstrates that Ferenczi’s revolutionary ideas continue to be eminently suited to illuminate a whole array of historical, difficult and painful human experiences, not unlike those Ferenczi confronted. This superb collection of essays by a stellar group of collaborators will enrich the work of Ferenczi scholars as well as the perspectives of newcomers to the highly original thinking of this indelible psychoanalytic pioneer.

Giselle Galdi, Editor, American Journal of Psychoanalysis and Training
and Supervising Analyst, American Institute for Psychoanalysis, New York City.

JONES - FERENCZI CORRESPONDENCE

Edited by Ferenc Eros, Judit Szekacs and Ken Robinson

Karnac Books, London  (to be published 2013)

The Ferenczi-Jones correspondence is an important document of the early history of psychoanalysis. It spans more than two decades, and addresses many of the relevant issues of the psychoanalytic movement between 1911-1933 such as: Freud's relation to Stekel, Adler and Jung, the First World War, the debates of the 20s regarding the theoretical and technical ideas of Rank and Ferenczi, problems of leadership, structure,. finding a center for the psychoanalytical movement, issues related to telepathy and lay analysis, etc. 37 letters and 6 postcards. Original documents waiting to be found for 8 decades. They belong to the "private", personal history of psychoanalysis and help decode diverse aspects of the experience preserved in these documentary memories of former generations. The most interesting aspect of this correspondence is how it allows us to build up a far more nuanced picture of the development of an extraordinary relationship between Ferenczi and Jones . It could hardly be termed harmonious , was not devoid of rivalry and jealousy, sometimes of hidden passion, and even outright hostility. Nevertheless, frIendship, sympathy, collegiality and readiness for cooperation were just as important for Ferenczi and Jones as rivalry, mistrust and suspicion. This volume celebrates the 100th anniversary of the foundation in 1913 of both the British and the Hungarian Psychoanalytical Societies