This is a series of essays which provide a biography of one of the influential thinkers of the 20th century - Sigmund Freud. The first section deals with Freud, Vienna and psychoanalysis, the second with Bettelheim's own recollections and his inspiring work with children and the last with the destruction of the Jews in the concentration camps.

On Learning to Read

by Bruno Bettelheim and Karen Zelan

Published 22 February 1982
An assessment of the true value of reading, applied to a critical evaluation of the way children are taught to read. Using case studies from the authors' experience of teaching severely disturbed children to read at the University of Chicago Orthogenic School, and the difficulties encountered by more "normal" children, the authors show that reading should not be taught merely as a technical accomplishment - far more important is the child's attitude to reading. The book also includes a discussion of dyslexia and of other reading difficulties.