The libido is Freud's theoretical concept regarding the mental aspect of sexual energy. This is how Roger Kennedy begins this fascinating treatise on issues related to libido and the transformations of sexual drive.

Traversing the evolution of Freud's thought and of psychoanalysis in general, with examples from ancient tragedy, clinical practice, literature, and references to the approaches of other analysts and thinkers, such as Lacan, Abraham, Klein, Winnicott, Green, and Marcuse, he questions the place of the concept of libido in current psychoanalytic theory.

He outlines its stages of development and highlights its significance for understanding mental functioning, both in normal and pathological states of the subject and of culture.

The small series Psychology - Psychoanalysis from Roes Publications examines fundamental psychoanalytic concepts and their relationship to our daily lives. It caters to both specialists, offering a concise overview of the main contemporary theories, and to everyone who wishes to be informed about these issues.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]