[Freud, Murder, and Fame 01] • Freud, Murder, and Fame · Lessons in Psychology’s Fascinating History

How did Sigmund Freud first become a household name in America? "Freud, Murder, and Fame" highlights the importance of the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder trial (“the Crime of the Century”), when testimony from Freudian psychoanalysts captivated the nation. The trial’s front-page media exposure introduced many Americans to Freudian theory, as seemingly everyone became engrossed in the senseless murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks.

This book offers an evidence-based interpretation of how Freud first achieved widespread fame in America. It also provides “Lessons in Psychology’s Fascinating History” that demonstrate the process of recreating the past, teach how to differentiate historical fiction from historical fact, and stress the importance of critically evaluating historical interpretations. Finally, it counteracts the negative stereotype that history is boring. It should interest general readers, students, scholars, and educators; anyone who is passionate about history, psychology, psychoanalysis, Freud, or the psychological aspects of crime can find it worthwhile.