The Making of Jung’s Memories

In 1963, Memories, Dreams, Reflections was published, and swiftly became a bestseller. It was taken to be the autobiography of one of the most prominent figures in twentieth century psychology. Since then, it has been regarded as the single most authoritative source of information concerning Jung’s life and work. With sales nearing a million in English alone, it has sold far more than any other work of Jung. In short, it is the work by which Jung has come to be known by the public at large. The book comprised material compiled and edited by Aniela Jaffé on the basis of interviews she conducted with Jung largely between 1956 and 1958, supplemented by Jung’s own memoir concerning the early years of his life, and some other autobiographical materials, with the active involvement of the legendary publisher, Kurt Wolff, whose brainchild it was. However, behind the scenes, there lay an unsuspectedly complex tale of composition, editing, publication, and alleged censorship, as the parties involved came into conflict concerning how to shape and present what came to be regarded as Jung’s final testament. The original Protocols, which are currently in press in the Philemon Series, reveal that much significant material had been completely omitted and that much material had been heavily edited in the final book. This talk presents what went into the making of Jung’s memories.