The book examines Sigmund Freud's life and work, and sees tragedy as a concept of central importance in both. Politzer shows how for Freud the tragic experience - later formulated as the Oedipus complex - was at the root of the development of human civilization. In the light of this idea, he examines Freud's interpretation of Sophocles, Shakespeare, and Michelangelo's statue Moses. He also looks at the relationship with Jung in terms of the father-son conflict. A final chapter, designated 'appendix' portrays the younger generation of the 1970's 'flower-power' movement, as a 'post-Oedipal generation'. Politzer's book is also a celebration of Sigmund Freud as a literary author in his own right.