Wilhelm Reich

Wilhelm Reich was an Austrian psychoanalyst, a member of the second generation of analysts after Sigmund Freud. He was known for his controversial theories on the link between sexual repression and psychological and physical health. Reich introduced the concept of 'orgone energy,' which he believed was a life force present in the atmosphere. His work and publications, such as 'Character Analysis' and 'The Mass Psychology of Fascism,' were influential but also led to criticism and eventual marginalization from the psychoanalytic community. His later work was considered pseudoscientific by the mainstream scientific community, and he faced legal troubles in the United States, where his books and research materials were destroyed by order of the court.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Function of the Orgasm

    This book presents a groundbreaking exploration of human sexuality, arguing that sexual repression leads to various psychological disorders. The author, a psychoanalyst, introduces the concept of "orgastic potency", which is an individual's ability to fully surrender and discharge pent-up sexual energy during the sexual act. He contends that societal norms and moralistic attitudes towards sex often hinder this release, leading to various neuroses and other psychological issues.