Book Announcement by Andrew Samuels (UK)

Samuels, A. (Ed.). (2025). The Father: Contemporary Jungian Perspectives. Jungianeum/Books.

First published in 1985 and now re-issued with a new introduction, Andrew Samuels’ The Father: Contemporary Jungian Perspectives is an acclaimed collection of papers on the father by Jungian analysts, psychoanalysts, and academics. The range of approaches is wide, from object relations to archetypal theory. The volume includes a newly edited paper by Jung.

The Father: Contemporary Jungian Perspectives brings together a powerful collection of essays by leading Jungian analysts exploring the psychological, cultural, and symbolic dimensions of the father figure. For decades, mainstream psychology emphasized the mother-infant relationship, often neglecting the equally vital role of the father. This pioneering work challenged that imbalance, offering insights into the father archetype, masculinity, gender roles, and the evolving dynamics between men and women. Drawing from clinical case studies, mythology, religion, art, and depth psychology, the contributors offer profound reflections on how the father’s role is understood—and misunderstood—within the individual psyche and broader cultural systems.

In his new Introduction, Samuels situates the father in the current public and political conversation in Western countries. He also brings attention to the father’s body and to what the good-enough father of whatever sex contributes to the development of his children. “In this book the father comes to life as a whole human being in analytical theory” (British Journal of Psychiatry).

Amazon.com/The Father – Contemporary Jungian Perspectives (Andrew Samuels)

Andrew Samuels, D.H.L. is a relational Jungian analyst, professor and author. He works as a consultant with politicians, parties and activist groups. His books include Jung and the Post-Jungians (1985), The Political Psyche (1993) and Reflecting Critically on the Political Psyche: Therapy, Testament and Trouble in Psychoanalysis and Jungian Analysis (2025). A selection of videos is on www.andrewsamuels.com including an award-winning film on the father, at www.andrewsamuels.com/i-want-my-dad-back/

Andrew Samuels, D.H.L.
London, United Kingdom
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