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Man's Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust [Paperback]

Viktor E Frankl
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
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Book Description

6 May 2004
A prominent Viennese psychiatrist before the war, Viktor Frankl was uniquely able to observe the way that both he and others in Auschwitz coped (or didn't) with the experience. He noticed that it was the men who comforted others and who gave away their last piece of bread who survived the longest - and who offered proof that everything can be taken away from us except the ability to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. The sort of person the concentration camp prisoner became was the result of an inner decision and not of camp influences alone. Frankl came to believe man's deepest desire is to search for meaning and purpose. This outstanding work offers us all a way to transcend suffering and find significance in the art of living. (20030731)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 160 pages
  • Publisher: Rider; New Ed edition (6 May 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1844132390
  • ISBN-13: 978-1844132393
  • Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 1.2 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Amazon Review

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is among the most influential works of psychiatric literature since Freud. The book begins with a lengthy, austere and deeply moving personal essay about Frankl's imprisonment in Auschwitz and other concentration camps for five years and his struggle during this time to find reasons to live. The second part of the book, called "Logotherapy in a Nutshell" describes the psychotherapeutic method that Frankl pioneered as a result of his experiences in the concentration camps. Freud believed that sexual instincts and urges were the driving force of humanity's life; Frankl, by contrast, believes that man's deepest desire is to search for meaning and purpose. Therefore, Frankl's logotherapy is much more compatible with western religions than Freudian psychotherapy. This is a fascinating, sophisticated and very human book. At times, Frankl's personal and professional discourses merge into a style of tremendous power. "Our generation is realistic, for we have come to know man as he really is", Frankl writes. "After all, man is that being who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord's Prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips." --Christine Buttery --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Remarkable...It changed my life and became a part of all that I live and all that I teach." (Susan Jeffers, author of Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway and Embracing Uncertainty 20031001)

"A poignant testimony...a hymn to the phoenix rising in each of us who choose life before flight." (Brian Keenan, author of An Evil Cradling 20031015)

"His works are essential reading for those who seek to understand the human condition." (Chief Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks 20031001)

"An enduring work of survival literature." (New York Times )

"If you read but one book this year, Dr Frankl's book should be that one." (Los Angeles Times )

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
110 of 111 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In my opinion, "Man's search for meaning" (1946) is a very interesting book, that will leave you with some practical knowledge easy to apply in your daily life. In a nutshell, and if you aren't feeling like reading a more or less long review, the main idea of this book is that "He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how".

The above quoted phrase is from Nietzsche, but don't jump to conclusions: Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) certainly does not share his philosophical ideas. Frankl merely chose one of Nietzsche's phrases as a way to crystallize his own ideas: that is, that the most important force in a person's life is his will to meaning. In a way, this book shows how Frankl reached that conclusion.

The first part of "Man's search for meaning" deals with the author's experiences in a concentration camp, and the lessons he draw from that torturous experience. Frankl said that those that survived had one thing in common, a purpose, and that "everything can be taken from man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way no matter the circumstance".

In the second part of this book, Frankl explains logotheraphy, the theory of psychotherapy he developed. According to the author, logotherapy focuses on the meaning of human existence as well as on a person's search for such meaning, and the consequent purpose. Frankl says that "The meaning of life always changes, but... it never ceases to be", and that we really find ourselves when we find it, or at least our own personal version of it....

It is pertinent to highlight the fact that logotheraphy differs strongly from other two well-known schools of psychoteraphy, Freudian psychoanalysis (that centers on the will to pleasure), and Adlerian psychology (that focuses on the will to power). From my point of view, Frankl perspective makes for a much better explanation...

All in all, I highly recommend this book. I like the central place that Frankl gives to responsibility, and the idea that man "does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become in the next moment". In my opinion, "Man's search for meaning" is interesting, but specially and most importantly, it makes sense... Read more ›

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76 of 77 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A book which changed my life 9 May 2003
Format:Paperback
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way". This, in essence, summarises the main thrust of this extraordinary book as well as Frankl's psychotherapy. I have spent the last year doing a counselling course and have read innumerable books and have been introduced to innumerable psychological theories, yet none have touched me so profoundly nor changed my perspective so radically as this slim book which Frankl wrote in 9 days and which has become an international bestseller. Unlike so many theoreticians, Frankl lived by what he preached. During his two and a half years spent in four different concentration camps, he came to realise that those who survive the terrors of life are not the physically strong or physically healthy, but those who have an internal strength, who are able to find a sense of meaning and purpose 'within' adversity. Frankl quotes Nietzsche to make this point, 'he who has a why to live for, can bear with almost any how'. Half the book is autobiograhpical, the other half outlines the basics of his theory, demonstrating once again that his life reflected his thinking and vice versa. In a world where despair and a sense of meaninglessness seem to torment us more each day, Frankl's words are more pertinent than ever.
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is split into two parts: the first being Frankl's experiences in a concentration camp; the second being his explanation of logotherapy.

As a coach, I bought this book for his insights into human will as expressed in the first half. The second half surprised me, in that I was not confused by his psychiatry, but grew my understanding because of it.

The first half of the book recounts some truly appalling experiences, and yet it's amazingly inspirational because it tells of the bright light of human spirit that could not be extinguished by the camp guards. This book put a lot of things in perspective for me. The stresses and frustrations of modern day living are nothing compared to what Frankl and his fellow prisoners endured. Interestingly, it was the optimists who had the hardest time. As they held out for release at certain milestone dates and these passed, their spirit diminished, sometimes, tragically, to the point of death.

[For the business reader, Jim Collins reports the same phenomenon as something he calls the Stockdale Paradox in 'Good to Great'. Admiral Jim Stockdale spent eight years in a POW camp in Vietnam and observed that the optimists "didn't make it out". Stockdale and his wife (who he was able to exchange letters with during his imprisonment) have written a book called 'In Love And War' chronicling their experiences.]

Frankl's reflections on his experience are amazing, and his work to help others through Logotherapy is astounding. To have turned such an awful experience into such an effective form of therapy to help others shows, just as Frankl observed, that the human spirit is an incredible thing. Even from the very darkest treatment humankind can inflict on fellow human beings, some good has emerged....

It's message is beautifully summed up in a quote from Nietzsche that Frankl uses: "He who has a 'why' to live for can bear almost any 'how'."

Buy this book and learn one of life's most important lessons for yourself. Read more ›

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44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational read 27 Jun 2005
By Darren Simons TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I actually came across this book when doing a search for a Freud book on Amazon, and was interested enough to buy this book instead book. With hindsight my interest was one of the biggest cases of understatement I know.

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian Jew who spent much of the Second World War in several concentration camps including Auschwitz and Dachau. Man's Search for Meaning in part details some of the experiences Frankl suffered (from the perspective of everyday life during this time), how he used his mind to help him survive, which in subsequent years formed his theory of logotherapy.

Following WW2, Frankl returned to the University of Vienna Medical School where he further developed these theories into what is now known as logotherapy (the Third Viennese school of Psychotherapy, following Freud's psychoanalysis and Adler's individual psychology).

The book itself splits into two parts. Firstly, "Experiences in a Concentration Camp" details what Frankl describes as the three stages of the prisoner's mental reaction to camp: the period following admission; when entrenched in camp routine; and following release and liberation. In this Frankl describes his mental reaction throughout his ordeals and how his will to survive kept him alive. On several occasions he notes fellow-prisoners who die almost immediately after losing their will to survive.

The second part "Logotherapy in a Nutshell" is the formalisation of these experiences by Frankl into logotherapy, and perhaps on reflection is even more significant than the first part. In reading this section of the book, the reader is able to apply Frankl's teaching to their own life and how relevant it may be to their own perspective on what the future may hold and what the meaning of life may actually be....

I found this book hugely moving and quite inspirational from the perspective of Frankl's determination to survive and search for the meaning of life. I was interested to read on the back cover the words of one reviewer, Susan Jeffers who herself is world-renowned for self-psychoanalysis who says "The book changed by life and became a part of all that I live and that I teach".

A must-read! Read more ›

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful
Amazing insight into Frankl's journey. Beautifully written and inspirational. Left me wanting to read more of his work. Highly recommended
Published 1 day ago by June
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should have a copy of this book
Viktor Frankl's wartime experience in concentration camps led him to the realisation that no matter what they do to you they cannot actually control your response: you have the... Read more
Published 3 days ago by A. Harrow
5.0 out of 5 stars great read
This book is a must for any one needing inspiration in the face of adversity, easy to read and awe inspiring.
Published 23 days ago by shehug
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Read
This is a very nice read. Quick read with a real good message for anyone living each day through the tough times we are going through and feel just like giving up at times. Read more
Published 27 days ago by Bunesh Labroo
2.0 out of 5 stars It's all hype
Straight forward read; in my opinion it has been puffed up to be much more than it is. I found it rather watery. If you want to make something of this book you will! Read more
Published 1 month ago by L V POWELL
5.0 out of 5 stars A Meaningful Way Forward
This book was not what I thought it would be but exceeded my expectations even although I had been led to believe it was amazing. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Caroline Small
4.0 out of 5 stars Moving and concise
I like books that are concise and to the point. This book is both. It is divided in two main parts, the first being an account of the author's experience in a concentration camp... Read more
Published 1 month ago by D. Giusti
5.0 out of 5 stars Meaning!
Such an inspirational book and a very different story from a concentration camp survivor. Beautiful to read how he was able to give hope to those around him in some of the most... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nussemor
4.0 out of 5 stars Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw the mud, the other the...
Years ago, I read Thomas Kenneally's novel, Schindler's Ark [later used for the movie Schindler's List]. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bacchus
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional
We rush around, assaulted by information every minute of the day, busy - and so if something breaks through all this noise, makes you think about something new, and remains with... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mary Parkes
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