William James's pioneering work in psychology revolutionized the science. What is less well known is his notable contribution to experimental psychopathology and psychotherapeutics and his role in introducing a dynamic psychology of subconscious states to an American audience. James was instrumental in the development of the so-called Boston School of Psychopathology. Academically, his efforts were also foundational in launching personality, abnormal, social, and clinical psychology. James's broad-minded perspective and novel insights into human nature were embodies in the eight Lowell Lectures he delivered in 1896. This book is the first reconstruction of those lectures, and hence a new and important addition to the body of James's work on the psychology of the subconscious. His account deals with dreams and hypnotism, automatism hysteria, multiple personality, demoniacal possession witchcraft, degeneration, and genius. , and develops the theme that any healthy life to some degree contains its morbid elements.

Also included is Eugene Taylor's enlightening historical introduction to James, his work, and the psychological community that he influenced so profoundly."With great judgment and resourcefulness in research, Dr. Taylor has made a readable and important work from William James's lecture notes. It supplies the links it supplies the link in James 's thought between his Principles of Psychology and The Varieties of Religious Experience and shows his genius for seeing the point and uttering original ideas in vivid prose. Besides the striking case histories, the work records often to our surprise how much was known and anticipated in [psychology and] psychiatry at the turn of the century." --Jacques Barzun, author of A Stroll with William James.