The Discovery of the Unconscious

The long line of exorcists, magnetists and hypnotists that led to dynamic psychiatry is the subject of Swiss medical historian Henri Ellenberger's history. He discusses Franz Anton Mesmer, Pierre Janet, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler and Carl Jung, along with the personalities of these pioneers, their surroundings and the part played by certain patients. Ellenberger shows Freud's dependence on earlier writers, Janet above all, and follows the idea of confessing a shameful secret as it passed from Protestant pastoral care into medicine and on to Freud. He also describes a legend of Freud as a lone hero against his enemies. Published by Basic Books in 1970, the work is credited with prompting a fresh look at how original Freud was.

Jordan B. Peterson included it among the suggested readings for Maps of Meaning.