The Assault on Truth: Freud's Suppression of the Seduction Theory

By Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

Book Overview

In 1896, Sigmund Freud presented his revolutionary "seduction theory," arguing that acts of sexual abuse and violence inflicted on children are the direct cause of adult mental illness. Nine years later, Freud completely reversed his position, insisting that these sexual memories were actually fantasies that never happened. Why did Freud retract the seduction theory? And why has the psychoanalytic community gone to such lengths to conceal that retraction? In this landmark book, drawing on his unique access to formerly sealed and hidden papers, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson dares to uncover the truth about this critical turning point in Freud's career and its enduring impact on the theory and practice of psychoanalysis. The Assault on Truth reveals a reality that neither Freud nor his followers could bear to face. Bracing in its honesty, gripping its revelations, this is the book that prompted Masson's break with the psychoanalytic community-and launched his subsequent brilliant career as an independent thinker and writer.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060974575
• ISBN13: 9780060974572
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Perennial
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

About the freudian cover-up

Jeffrey Massons "Assault on Truth" is probably one of the most important books of the 20th century. He shows in detail how Freud betrayed his female patients and how he finally ended up in denying the evidence of the widespread existence of child sexual abuse. Massons book is a forceful attack against the freudian movement, who even today build their whole theory about child sexuality and the oedipus complex on Freuds betrayal in 1897. But it is also a good refutation of these witness psychologists who today falsely claims that Freud implanted false memories of sexual abuse in his patients. For everyone interested in topics such as the foundation of psychoanalysis or the debate about child sexual abuse - just read it!

Rebecca Hamilton, Teens for Agnosticism & Social Action

A Note on Janet Malcolm: as evidenced in this book, Ms Malcolm actually creates composite quotations and with reference to her interviewing the author prior to initial publication, perhaps for the ensuing monetary gain she knew would thus be open to her, misrepresented (by altering the record of) the dialogue between author-interviewer prior to this book's initial release. Jeffrey Masson filed a libel suit against Janet Malcolm and The New Yorker (who published this journalist's two part article based on interviewing Masson, in 1984) and upon the matter's issues of honesty in quotation (Malcolm's of Masson) reaching the U.S. Supreme Court and then the Ninth circuit Court of Appeals, Jeffrey Masson won the case, but, curiously, the jury was deadlocked on damages. When a second trial took place -- this time without the New Yorker -- even more curiously perhaps, he lost. The facts and actuality of what occurred in regards this "unacceptable journalistic technique" are laid bare in this book, Malcolm's two-part article having appeared before the book's first release: setting the tone for the reviews it's author would receive, and in doing so, both misleading the public, and giving very upset and shaken reviewers the metaphorical ammunition they would need: to describe the author and ignore the contents of the book, to set Janet Malcolm up for life, and allow those in power (psychotherapists, psychiatrists), somewhat traumatised it seems evident, to side with Malcolm --a mutually lucrative enterprise serving also to deny the reader the truth. Just to finish on that, before I get started with my review, although I cannot speak for the person who placed the review prior to this when they describe a "moron", to clear confusion, I believe the individual being referred to is surnamed Webster.I second the that reviewer's assertion: the history of psychical phenomena (including by Sigm. Freud), and especially this very book, has been consistently misunderstood, most often and most critically by those (and they are mostly "professionals" of one persuasion or another) who have something to gain (i.e. something to fear). It certainly seems those persons who have assertively misunderstood have done so deliberately, whether it be consciously, or unconsciously, or a blend of both. The author doesn't intend to set out to invalidate the Oedipus complex, but to demonstrate the irrefutable suppression of the Seduction theory, and attempt to illuminate this act's historical significance on the later development of classical psychoanalysis. Contrast this with the morally controversial but truthfully essential behaviour of certain "jaded" individuals: I am referring to a proposed forthcoming book the publication of which is being held over the head of the Library of Congress presently, in order to see they derestrict the Freud Archives in a "real, complete, and total" fashion: through demonstrating the subject of Sigmund Freud

Delighted to see that this book is back in print!

I read this book a few years back and LOVED it. Then it was destroyed in a flood we had just after that. I tried to get another copy but couldn't find it anywhere, then was told it was out of print! I now have a new copy of the reprinted edition! It is a wonderful psychology book that made me have a far better understanding of Freud and where he was coming from. I now feel so irritated with people who make blanket statements about Freud and how he was "a moron" or some other non-meaningful phrase.This is an excellent book about the history of child abuse. A must read for anyone interested in the subject.

BRILLIANT -- A MUST READ ON THE TOPIC OF CHILD ABUSE

Jeffrey Masson is a national treasure. I read this book in 1984 and I don't know why this book hasn't revolutionized the world's thinking about Freud and child abuse, but especially of Freud. Masson clearly lays out his argument against the validity of the Oedipus complex as a viable scientific concept. It is a quick, insightful and intelligent read for those interested in the subject of child abuse, and I hope that Masson resumes writing on this topic.