The Black Books Hardcover – October 13, 2020

Who will want to buy this very expensive collection? First of all, if you have not read Jung’s “The Red Book: Liber Novus” (published in 2009), and have not additionally read the extensive historical introduction given there by Dr. Shamdasani, you will be completely lost reading this text. Just start with the “The Red Book: Liber Novus”, then come back here. This an essential book for the serious students of Jung, who want to dive deeper into the foundations of his life work. You should know something about C. G. Jung before reading this — that background of understanding is essential. If you have that basic background, these diaries will be fascinating.What are these seven black boxed volumes? They are C. G. Jung’s private handwritten diaries from 1913 to 1932; the majority of the entries were made between 1913 and around 1920. In the diaries he recorded his visions and his imaginative dialogues with the Soul. (Yes, that is strange.) They were never intended by Jung for publication, but he did leave them with his heirs to be preserved for posterity.The seven volumes in the box set include an initial volume that provides a long and detailed historical introduction to the publication, authored by Dr. Sonu Shamdasani, followed by translator notes, and an appendix including some relevant illustrations. Volumes 2-7 include facsimile reproductions of every page in each of the six diaries Jung filled during this period. Following the facsimile images, each volume includes a complete English translation of the material, along with supplemental and explanatory footnotes added by the editor. The translation pages, combined, sum up to a several hundred pages.Are there illustrations in the journals? There are very few illustrations in the diaries, excepting a couple small drawings that punctuate the handwritten text. This is NOT a book of art — this is Jung’s raw contemporaneous chronicle of his imaginative experiences and visions, transcribed in the moment. (If you read German, you will be able to decipher Jung’s handwriting in the journal facsimiles, but it is not easy going.)Why are the diaries important? The Black Book diaries are an essential supplement to anyone who has studied and read “The Red Book: Liber Novus.” These documents compliment and explain each other. The diaries up through 1916 are the textual source of the material Jung entered into the “Red Book” text along with his additional commentary on the experiences recorded in the diaries. These diaries include that raw material, but continue on for SEVERAL YEARS after Jung completed his draft text for the Red Book. Quite a bit happened in his imaginative life and visions in the period extending from 1916 on through the early 1920s. It is a fascinating primary record, but again, it will only be of use to the person who knows the historical background and has read “The Red Book: Liber Novus.”In the diary material after 1916, one encounters Jung struggle with the God image, and with his own resistance to falling into the thrall of his imaginative and visionary venture. He saw his experience in the fashion of a revelation, but he refused to become its prophet. His struggle was finding another path forward. That is what he spent the rest of his life doing.(Also note, the illuminated images and paintings in the second portion of “The Red Book: Liber Novus” relate to events recorded in the diaries entries after 1916, and cannot really be understood without the diaries. I highly recommend readers also acquire another beautiful book, “The Art of C. G. Jung,” which reproduces many additional art works from this period that were not part of the Red Book.)Should one buy the print or the Kindle version? I have both the Kindle edition, and the print edition. Since I write about this material, the advantage of the Kindle version is being able to annotate and copy quotations — I prefer reading the Kindle edition mainly because I read all the footnotes too, and the footnotes in the print edition are in a very small font that is difficult on my eyes. But I love books, and even though it is taking up lots of shelf space, this is a beautifully produced collection.I have waited decades for this treasure trove of primary material. It will help transform Jung studies.

Excellent quality, inside and out! Magnanimous purchase for any fan of CG Jung.

The books are very nice the only downside is if you have pets that have plooms of hair fall off of them on a daily basis I don't know how else to put this, the books are going to start looking like your pet.The actual book reads like how I imagine "The End of Evangelion" was written, some narrative and a lot of shinji reflecting on life. Not a necessity to read but it is fun and looks nice. If you are wondering if it's worth it and you like Jung, yes it's worth it (@ $150 or less)

I had the pleasure to both interview and hear Professor Sonu Shamdasani discuss the backstory of the Black Books, it has taken him over 10 years to compile, edit and translate what was originally Jung's private before-sleep diaries including active imagination, dreams and reflection - serving two distinct purposes; to transform and hear his own Soul and to find relation with academia and science, in order to help others individuate, heal and express. Unlike the Red Book (meant in some way to be shared with the world, these were personal work diaries). As a performance artist and creator, I find the material relevant, timeless and regenerative. An insightful look into the psyche of the Master. 1st Amazon Review, sweet.

The quality is first-rate. All 6 books are of reasonable size except for the 7th book (and for good reason). Regardless, you're gonna need to clear your desk to pop open these bad boys because you'll be taking a lot of notes. I mean, the material presented here is... gorgeous, to say the least. Not a family book but it's definitely a tomb containing keys to unlocking the deeper mysteries of the anima/animus unconscious.Try reading at night with the "Gayane Ballet Suite (Adagio)" playing low in the background.Sweet dreams...

This helps add context to Jungs other works such as but not limited to Liber Novus and the concept of active imagination and self-psychology as a whole

You can not ask for anything better. I wil include pictures later.This is worth the money. Get it before it sells out and goes out of print and sells for 4x the price.A joy just like the Taschen XL JUNG RED BOOK. Not as large obviously, but a well crafted set bound tight

Waited a long time for this - love the box set