This is the English translation of a sort of autobiography dealing almost exclusively with the inner life of the famous Swiss psychiatrist. It was begun in 1957 when he was over 80 years old. The first three chapters, dealing with his early years, he wrote directly in April, 1958; and he also wrote the last chapter in the summer of 1959. The remainder of the book was compiled by his friend and collaborator, Aniela Jaffe, from his conversation and writings. However, Jung read through the entire manuscript and approved it before his death in 1961.
He hesitated long to expose the spiritual essence of his life's experience, and this alone seemed to him sufficiently important to justify the time and trouble. Having all his life been obliged to face the incomprehension of his contemporaries he was afraid again to expose himself to this trauma. Moreover, the memory of the outer