The Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society and Its Circle

On the afternoon of August 28th, 1909, Sigmund Freud visited Coney Islandâs

famous Dreamland amusement park. A hundred years later, this lively,

imaginative book examines his legacy in Coney Island, a history which might

have been. It begins with Norman Kleinâs reconstruction of his actual visit,

though Freudâs real impact appears to have come later, with the founding of

the Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society. Zoe Beloff conjures up the

world of this unique Society, which would have existed from 1926 through the

early 1970s, exploring its activities (which included recreating dreams on

film) and discussing its visionary founder, Albert Grass, who attempted to

rebuild Dreamland according to Freudâs theory of dream formation. Aaron

Beebe, former director of the Coney Island Museum, describes how this

institution is reviving the idea of the living museum. Amy Herzog discusses how

Freudâs theories provide a deeper understanding of the publicâs fascination

with Coney Islandâs attractions. The book is illustrated with previously

unseen photographs, drawings and documents.