Beginner's Guide to Jungian Psychology

Useful introduction - gets you into the terminology and principles - I wish I had read this earlier before struggling with some heavier tomes.

interesting read, a good beginner's guide to understanding Jung.

For a person who is not into reading introductory materials written at the same level of the one being introduced, yet who wants an accurate, substantial presentation that is quite readable, I believe this book is for them. I have read bits and pieces of Jung and of what others had to say about Jung in addition to reading extensively Joseph Campbell, and I find this book very benificial in uniting and presenting coherently what is essential to Jungian psychology - and in helping me to have a better understanding of Joseph Campbell as well. I am currently reading the Portable Jung and I do find this introductory book very beneficial to understanding Jung's writings. Since Jung was a follower of Freud for awhile and since he did accept much of Freud's teaching, I feel it would behove anyone to read some introductory material or primer on Freud. Don't have to agree with or accept all of Freud's teachings, but an undestanding of him will certainly help one to have an understanding of Jung.

Very conversational in tone which makes it hard to read. Introduces philosophers and ideas without much background on them. Disappointing.

Here's a rarity among introductory books about Jung & his thought: clear, easy to read & follow, setting forth the basic ideas in ways which are easy to grasp ... all without dumbing down the material in any way. What Robertson does is provide the beginner with the overall feel of Jungian thought, sketching out the basic outlines & providing straightforward examples. Other books go into greater detail, of course, but a beginner could do far worse than start with this fine volume. Robertson's humane & humanist heart beats strongly in every page, and he's good company for what should be an ongoing & enriching journey into the Psyche. Recommended! (For anyone concerned about the negative reviews, while some do raise fair objections & concerns, feel free to ignore those with an obvious ax to grind. A reading of Deirdre Bair's new biography of Jung will provide an honest & far more accurate picture of Jung's life & personality.)