This is an extremely well-written and accessible introduction to Freudian psychology, especially what Freud has to tell us about the emotional needs and desires of men and women. Boothby's writing is not at all pedantic. in fact, it's pretty fun. "Sex on the Couch" is clearly designed to be read by people with no particular background in psychology. By examining many different aspects of our intimate life and human culture through the lens of our emotional interests, ambivalences, and defenses, and by placing these in the central context of our sexuality, Boothby gives us a very useful (you might even say practically useful) means for understanding ourselves and the society we live in. This is not in any way pop psychology. Nevertheless, it a very readable, engaging and lucid book. If I were a parent I'd give it to my son or daughter when they reached college age. But anyone of any age can greatly profit from reading it.