Exploring one of Freud's best known and most widely studied works, this clear and detailed guide renders Civilization and its Discontents clear and accessible, situating it within a broad understanding of 20th century thought. By placing this later work in the context of Freud's psychoanalysis, this volume gives an indispensable account of Freud's contribution to the study of human morality, culture and religion.

A detailed step-by-step breakdown of the text maps each chapter to the key Freudian concepts that they introduce, from narcissism and the ego-ideal to death drive and cathexis. This invaluable approach helps readers to understand how Freud put together his worldview, and is accompanied not only by an easily digestible overview of those central themes, but also an account of the moral, clinical and philosophical contexts in which he was working.

As one of the most influential and often misunderstood thinkers of the 20th century, Freud's legacy is constantly disputed and this guide's final section delves into how Civilization and its Discontents was received both in its time and more recently, drawing on the theories of Jacques Lacan, Judith Butler, Herbert Marcuse and Heinz Hartmann. This is the ideal guide for anyone hoping to understand how to read Freud and get to grips with his most lasting statement on modern culture and clinical psychoanalysis.