Amazon Prime Free Trial
FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button and confirm your Prime free trial.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited FREE Prime delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
-26% $14.13$14.13
Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com
$12.72$12.72
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Kandy Books
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Audible sample
Follow the author
OK
Memories, Dreams, Reflections Paperback – April 23, 1989
Purchase options and add-ons
"An important, firsthand document for readers who wish to understand this seminal writer and thinker." —Booklist
In the spring of 1957, when he was eighty-one years old, Carl Gustav Jung undertook the telling of his life story. Memories, Dreams, Reflections is that book, composed of conversations with his colleague and friend Aniela Jaffé, as well as chapters written in his own hand, and other materials. Jung continued to work on the final stages of the manuscript until shortly before his death on June 6, 1961, making this a uniquely comprehensive reflection on a remarkable life. Fully corrected, this edition also includes Jung's VII Sermones ad Mortuos.
- Print length430 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherVintage
- Publication dateApril 23, 1989
- Dimensions5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
- ISBN-109780679723950
- ISBN-13978-0679723950
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Editorial Reviews
Review
From the Inside Flap
From the Back Cover
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : 0679723951
- Publisher : Vintage; Reissue edition (April 23, 1989)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 430 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780679723950
- ISBN-13 : 978-0679723950
- Item Weight : 11.7 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #8,657 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Behavioral Psychology (Books)
- #5 in Jungian Psychology (Books)
- #363 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist, an influential thinker and the founder of analytical psychology (also known as Jungian psychology). Jung's radical approach to psychology has been influential in the field of depth psychology and in counter-cultural movements across the globe. Jung is considered as the first modern psychologist to state that the human psyche is "by nature religious" and to explore it in depth. His many major works include "Analytic Psychology: Its Theory and Practice," "Man and His Symbols," "Memories, Dreams, Reflections," "The Collected Works of Carl G. Jung," and "The Red Book."
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and insightful. They find it a good starting point for understanding Jung's world view and psychology. The narrative style is described as compelling, honest, and memorable. Readers appreciate the author's poetic writing style and consider it a wonderful look into his mind.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They say it's worth reading and nourishes their minds. The reflections expose the reader to great potential for understanding unseen things. Readers appreciate the author's prose that reads like poetry.
"...long book that reads something like an autobiography, meaning it’s easier to read than some of his more theoretical writings because it’s narrative..." Read more
"...As a huge Carl Jung fan, I consider it a must read. A very unique and intelligent personality." Read more
"...a beautiful way of expressing himself, so that much of his prose reads like poetry...." Read more
"...An amazing book, in my top 100 of all times and right now among the most influential books I have been reading in the last few years...." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and a good starting point for understanding Jung's world view and psychology. They say it's a great book for anyone interested in psychology, especially those fascinated by Jung. The content is wonderful and provides original meanings of words. Readers appreciate the honest reflection by Jung of his life and work.
"...This book is a Jung-authorized compilation into a long book that reads something like an autobiography, meaning it’s easier to read than some of..." Read more
"...A very unique and intelligent personality." Read more
"...This book is one of the most fascinating things I've ever read, and is worth ten Jung introductions...." Read more
"...Regardless, I enjoyed reading about Carl and his life and felt a benefit from reading this book." Read more
Customers find the narrative style engaging. They appreciate Jung's fascinating story and intriguing thoughts. The anecdotes and pieces of information help them understand his life and work. Readers describe the storytelling as electric and memorable. The book sheds a clear light on Jung's life and work, while sharing his personal history sparingly.
"...to read than some of his more theoretical writings because it’s narrative and story-like...." Read more
"...In this particular book, he goes back to selected events of all kind, in order to guide the reader into, not only his life story, but into his..." Read more
"...He reveals his transparency as a human being - something few are willing to do...." Read more
"...that it is written when Jung was in his 80s, it is not a dry record of personal accomplishment...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and insightful. They appreciate Jung's poetic prose and his honest reflections on his life. The imagery of the language draws readers in, and the book sheds light on a great man.
"...It’s all very interesting: sad, dark, joyful, strange and intensely human...." Read more
"...As a huge Carl Jung fan, I consider it a must read. A very unique and intelligent personality." Read more
"...Jung had a beautiful way of expressing himself, so that much of his prose reads like poetry...." Read more
"...his Red Book and Autobiography--Memories, Dreams, and Reflections with great appreciation...." Read more
Reviews with images
Cheaply Made Book
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2024In a series of interviews later in life, Jung was lengthily interviewed about his life and the story of how he came to his own philosophies of psychological well-being. This book is a Jung-authorized compilation into a long book that reads something like an autobiography, meaning it’s easier to read than some of his more theoretical writings because it’s narrative and story-like.
We read here about his childhood imagination, his youthful disillusionments and inspirations that were a foundation for his later development. He tells his stories retrospectively from old age, so we also learn what Jung thought was important to describe. He tells of his break with Freud, what led to it and the pain of removing himself from Freud’s mentorship and personal circle. It’s all very interesting: sad, dark, joyful, strange and intensely human.
Not an entirely an easy read, but worth it for the dedicated and sensitive reader interested in Jung’s thoughts and what led to them.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024This is one I had to add to my library. As a huge Carl Jung fan, I consider it a must read. A very unique and intelligent personality.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2012When I first began my exploration into Carl Jung's ideas, I started with a Jung introduction written by another author. Realizing that was getting me nowhere, I went straight for the horse's mouth, and bought Jung's autobiography. One of the best literary decisions I've ever made. This book is one of the most fascinating things I've ever read, and is worth ten Jung introductions. In it, we get to experience and see the world through Jung's eyes. Jung had a beautiful way of expressing himself, so that much of his prose reads like poetry. He does an excellent job of trying to communicate through those completely uselss things we call words the inner reality of the human experience. Jung refers many times to his ability to see a world that apparently other people couldn't see. He does an amazing job of helping the reader to see what he saw, even at the expense of his own ego. When he was young he fancied himself a bit touched, and I have to admit that after reading the kinds of things that went through his mind as a boy that I thought he must have been at least half insane. His experience with "the will of god" in particular left me shaking my head, thinking, "And we've based our knowledge of psychology on this guy?"
I think when he was a boy Jung was indeed a little crazy, and maybe it was that slightly off-kilter mindset that allowed him to become such an excellent psychotherapist. He steadied out as he got older, and thankfully stopped having dramatic visions of god doing disgusting things.
Jung also provides some excellent insight into the character and mind of Freud. Freud too was a little nuts, and Jung makes no bones about showing us this. He reinforces the notion that everything should be taken with a grain of salt, even the most revered ideas of the world's greatest thinkers. Truth changes, and is relative to the environment in which it is perceived.
My only criticism of the book stems from Jung's musings after he has detailed his relationship with Freud and other aspects of his academic career. He enteres a stage of his life in which he decides to "confront his unconscious," i.e., to study it himself in as great a detail as possible. Here, Jung fades into a dreamy, imprecise rambling about what he calls his "fantasies." Jung never explains exaclty what he means by "fantasies." Is he talking about dream material, or waking reveries? Or is he referring to the mysterious "visions" that plague him from time to time? He doesn't elaborate. But he goes on for what seems like fifty pages at least simply rambling about nothing. He stops giving detailed examples as he did earlier in the book and loses himself in a kind of drug-induced reverie that leaves the reader standing out in the rain. I simplly did not know what he was talking about at this point in the book, and Jung should have done a better job at elucidating what kinds of things he was engaged in at this point of this life.
Nevertheless, I would highly recommend this autobiography to anyone interested in Jung. Some small knowledge of psychological theories will help you out, but there's always a dictionary and wiki if you don't have that.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017Great book for anyone interested in learning about Carl Jung. Carl was way ahead of his time, extremely intelligent and insightful. I picked up some excellent key points that has helped me see things from a better point of view. I'm barely a casual reader, so this book was a bit difficult for me to read at times. There is a lot of talk and reference to religions and cultures from all over the world which was quite a bit difficult for me to read as I am unfamiliar with most of the reference and wording, thankful for google! Regardless, I enjoyed reading about Carl and his life and felt a benefit from reading this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024Old but gold
- Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2012Several key ideas in this work grab my attention and lead me to believe that this is a fine starting point for understanding Jung, both his life and his thought:
* The Collective Unconscious: Jung's notion that we are being "carried along," sustained and directed by this deep, dark well of unconscious archetypal meaning and energy that seeks to make itself known and become integrated into our conscious life. Here's the alpha and omega.
* The Persona: The self we manifest publically is not the whole story but a necessary "mask" that helps us get by in the world, the ideal image we have of ourselves. We latch onto these social identities to define us, but as a part of the "collective psyche" they do not distinguish us in any significant way. Jung's struggling awareness of the "split" between his two personalities, "No. 1" and "No. 2," led to this concept.
* The Shadow: There lives within us another side of our personality that is filled with all those aspects of ourselves we hide away, both from ourselves or others, as unacceptable. The shadow has a "dark side," which is the stuff we find morally reprehensible, but it also has a "bright side" containing our unembraced potentialities. Daryl Sharp describes the shadow as a "hodgepodge of repressed desires and uncivilized impulses." It serves our wholeness by nagging and ambushing the persona (ideal self) with a larger sense of our humanity.
* The Affirmation of Wholeness over Dualism: Given the primary role of the collective unconscious and how it seeks to integrate the persona and the shadow, we are to be wary of all one-sided emphases in terms of personal growth.
* The Nature of God as Light and Dark: Jung came to see God as embodying both light and shadow as well. His dream very early in life of God defecating on the church jolted him into a kind of "blasphemy" that was both horrifying and redeeming. He eventually came to see God as embodying the wholeness and synthesis of opposites that every person needs.
* The Desire to Ground Psychology Historically: Jung could have easily become just another crackpot esoteric with all his mystical visions, dreams and overwhelming intuition. Yet he struggled long and hard to substantiate his subjective experiences, to verify their occurrence and meaning in the "outer world" cross-culturally and give "reality" its due.
I am completely captivated by Jung's thoughts about Christianity and how this "myth" needs to grow and develop or it will die on the vine. I am convinced as a pastor that the Church's sense of faith needs more of an "experiential" focus than a "dogmatic" one. Jung was not afraid to open himself to the awesome mystery of the Other, even if it meant moving into the unknown and sacrificing what he held most dear. I'm convinced that Jung offers an invitation into the "larger life" of God, one that values the questions and trusts both the presence and absence of God as necessary to our wholeness.
Reading this autobiography energizes me to move beyond dabbling with Jung, to seek a deeper understanding and integration of his insights. I intend to be more forthright with encouraging others to listen to their dreams and to "own" their shadow. In particular, given my largely evangelical tradition, I'm eager to broaden out the spiritual direction conversation beyond the usual obsession with persona tinkering. I hope to help others open up to and trust the terrifying richness swelling up from the collective unconscious. This work has prompted me to pursue other works by James Hollis, Jeremy Taylor, Daryl Sharp, June Singer, and David Tacey.
Top reviews from other countries
- L. T.Reviewed in Canada on September 15, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Great even as an intro to Jung.
Even if you have never read Jung’s works, this book is fantastic. Absolutely a five star read. Fascinating and the book flows effortlessly through Jung’s insights and the fascinating tidbits he shares with us. I can’t recommend this book enough. If you’re reading these reviews, just get the book. You won’t be disappointed.
- Robert BALCHUSReviewed in Italy on July 3, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Absolutely fascinating
- Tom A.Reviewed in Sweden on January 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing autobiography of Carl Jung
Having been fascinated with Jung's ideas for quite some time, and wondered plenty about how he was as a person, this has been a very interesting dive into his life and has given me some very cool perspectives on Jung and life itself. Highly recommended for any Jung fans!
- SandybcnReviewed in Spain on January 19, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book.
It's an awesome book but not really an autobiography as he hardly talks about his personal life apart from his parents and childhood. He barely mentions his wife and kids.
It's a book about his professional life, cases he studied and shows a real interest in helping patients. Definitely worth reading if you are interested in the human psyche. The importance of dreams, how the mind works and a life dedicated to helping patients With seriously troubled lives.
Sandybcn
Reviewed in Spain on January 19, 2021
It's a book about his professional life, cases he studied and shows a real interest in helping patients. Definitely worth reading if you are interested in the human psyche. The importance of dreams, how the mind works and a life dedicated to helping patients With seriously troubled lives.
Images in this review -
Alejandro LechugaReviewed in Mexico on November 30, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente libro de Jung
Fenomenal entrar al mundo que es la cabeza de Jung. Es increíble su memoria, como recuerda tanto detalle de lo vivido, e incluso sus sueños, desde tan temprana edad. Su reflexión y crítica a muchos aspectos de la vida te dejaran pensando.