Jung

A Very Short Introduction

By: Anthony Stevens

Narrated by: Tim Pigott-Smith

Length: 3 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Anthony Stevens argues that Jung's visionary powers and profound spirituality have helped many to find an alternative set of values to the arid materialism prevailing Western society.

This concise introduction explains clearly the basic concepts of Jungian psychology: The collective unconscious, complex, archetype, shadow, persona, anima, animus, and the individuation of the Self. Anthony Stevens examines Jung's views on such disparate subjects as myth, religion, alchemy, "synchronicity", and the psychology of gender differences. He devotes separate chapters to the stages of life, Jung's theory of psychological types, the interpretation of dreams, the practice of Jungian analysis, and to the unjust allegation that Jung was a Nazi sympathiser.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2003 Anthony Stevens (P)2003 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd.

Critic reviews

"Tim Pigott-Smith's mellow voice achieves perfect pronunciation. By giving welcome expression to the dry definitions, his tempered enthusiasm and varying pace add color to a black-and-white text." (AudioFile)

Fabulous overview

What did you love best about Jung?

This book succeeds in explaining Jung's life and Jungian concepts in a concise but very thorough and intelligent manner. If you're interested in Jung I can't imagine a better way to learn. As with any well-written book about an interesting subject, it's entertaining as well. Very high recommendation.

Good introduction to Jung's life and ideas.

Enjoyed it very much. Definitely made me want to learn more about the man and his ideas.

Excellent Introduction to Jung

Carl Jung wrote and lectured on so many topics that it was difficult for me to find a place to start in my study of his philosophy. This is an excellent, well researched and well written book. I find myself looking forward to learning more about this complicated and interesting man.

Tim Pigott-Smith narrates beautifully.

I highly recommend.

A great primer.

A very listenable work, and a very accessible introduction to Jung and all things Jungian. This is highly recommended to be experienced.

Worth it

Inspirational and illuminating. A lay out of the life of Jung and a guide to his major discoveries, all in a brief 3 hours.

My Favorite "Very Short Introduction" so far.

My Favorite "Very Short Introduction" so far. I'm sure to re-read it with the next couple of weeks. Finally, the relationship and philosophical differences between Freud and Jung are clear and, more importantly, Jung, the man and originator of humanity-changing teachings are accessible.

Clarifies my understanding of Jung

Fascinating insight into Jung and his ideas. It seems a good introduction. Short but sweet.

enjoyable book, well written & read.

I will listen to this again after a year or so. it's good. I'll look for similar ones.

Good Overview of Jung & His Work

This was a solid book highlighting Carl Jung, his life, his work & his ideas. This isn’t the most detailed book on his ideas & on Jungian Psychology but it’s a good introduction to the man himself & his approach to psychology overall.

An excellent overview of Jung

I have a friend who is a Jungian scholar who is writing a book on some aspect of Jung. When I saw this short book I jumped at it, thinking I could learn a bit about Jung so I would not feel so stupid when we get together. The only thing I knew about Jung was what I had read back in 1971 when I read Irving Stone’s “The Passions of the Mind” about the life of Sigmund Freud. Stone is the master of the biographical novel. The book on Freud was fascinating. The author of this book is Dr. Anthony Stevens a British psychiatrist and Jungian analyst. He has co-author several books on evolutionary psychiatry. Dr. Stevens’ book is a well written, comprehensive over view of Jung’s ideas and biography. He explains Jung’s relationship with Freud and refutes the anti-Semitism charges that floated around since before World War Two. It is obvious that Dr. Stevens did a great deal of research and has the magnificence ability to summarize a complex person and his ideas and system of psychology into understandable and interesting book for a lay person. Tim Pigott-Smith did a great job narrating the book.