'This book contains the clearest and most thorough exposition we have of what that phrase the archetypes of the collective unconscious really means. Jung weaves a profound web in which imagination, emotions and bodily instincts are envisioned as equal partners in the construction of our world as we know it.' - Andrew Samuels, Professor of Analytical Psychology, University of Essex

'In this essay Jung reveals himself as the most original and widely informed psychologist of the twentieth century. With a dazzling combination of scholarship and clinical acumen, he addresses the problem of how we can know that the unconscious exists and how we can bring its contents to consciousness. With his characteristic emphasis on the primacy of psychic experience - 'the only reality which is given to us without a medium' - he carries his thinking beyond the psychodynamics of patients in analysis to examine the social and political catastrophes which follow when collective consciousness becomes dissociated from the collective unconscious. A basic text for anyone concerned with the spiritual life and psychic destiny of our species.' - Anthony Stevens

In On the Nature of the Psyche Jung presents a masterly overview of his theories of the unconscious, and its relation to the conscious mind.

Jung's discovery of the 'collective unconscious', a psychic inheritance common to all humankind, transformed the understanding of the self and the way we interpret the world. In On the Nature of the Psyche Jung describes this remarkable theory in his own words, and presents a masterly overview of his theories of the unconscious, and its relation to the conscious mind. Also contained in this collection is On Psychic Energy , where Jung defends his interpretation of the libido, a key factor in the breakdown of his relations with Freud. For anyone seeking to understand Jung's insights into the human mind, this volume is essential reading.

Next to Freud, no psychiatrist of today has advanced our insight into the nature of the psyche more than Jung has."
Hermann Hesse
Jung's discovery of the 'collective unconscious', a psychic inheritance common to all humankind, transformed our understanding of the self and the way we interpret the world. In On the Nature of the Psyche, Jung describes this remarkable theory in his own words, and presents a masterly overview of his theories of the unconscious and its relation to the conscious mind. Also contained in this collection is On Psychic Energy, in which Jung defends his interpretation of the libido, a key factor in the breakdown of his relations with Freud. For anyone seeking to understand Jung's insights into the human mind, this volume is essential reading

Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) Founded the analytical school of psychology and is responsible for bringing psychology into the twentieth century by developing a new theory of the unconscious.

2003-02-19 Excellent overview of all of Jungs ideas

This book contains two essays written by Jung himself. They cover almost all of the major parts of Jungs work and clear up a lot of misconceptions that arose over his theories. I would highly recommend this book as an introduction to Jungs theories. It is ideal if you do not have the time to wade through his many other lengthy writings. It would also be a valuable reference to anyone already familiar with Jung, as it clarifies much about his work. It is an intellectual read, it does not give a simplistic description of theories as is sometimes found when other authors summarise Jungs ideas. Get to know the real meaning behind Jungs theories as written by the man himself.