Title of book – Man’s Search for Meaning
Author – Viktor E. Frankl
Genre – Motivational, Psychology, Spirituality
Price – Rs 299/- for paperback, buy it here
Pages – 154
Language – English translated from German
Before I share my review of the book “Man’s search for meaning”, let me share a bit about its equally celebrated author.
Dr. Viktor E. Frankl was a professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at University of Vienna Medical School. He has done some great work in the field of Psychology after Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler and Jung. He spent three years as a prisoner in four different Nazi concentration camps during the second World War, including the most infamous Auschwitz camp. Miraculously or by his own survival instinct , he did survive the camps and came back alive.
This book carries his experiences from the concentration camp and the learnings from his incarceration. Dr. Frankl has had 30 books published and most of them have been critically acclaimed by his peers and also translated in other languages. He died in 1997. At the time of Frankl’s death in 1997, this book had already sold more than 10 million copies.
The book is divided into two main parts – the first part is titled “Experiences in a concentration camp” and the second part is titled “Logotherapy in a nutshell”.
The first part of Man’s Search for Meaning is very engaging. Although there have been innumerable books about the Nazi concentration camps till date, but Dr. Frankl’s account is very different from others. Despite the inhuman conditions of the camps, the author does not dwell on the cruelty, the depressing conditions of the concentration camps. On the contrary, he looks for the positives and the power of human endurance in the most adverse situations and draws inspiration from it. Why some men behaved like devils and some behaved like saints when faced with the same tribulations triggered his thought process.
This quote from Nietzsche, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how,” sums up the philosophy of logotherapy.
Quite predictably the second part of this book titled “Logotherapy in a nutshell” is more academic in nature. Here Dr. Frankl proposes his theory of logotherapy and its principles. The interesting parts are where he explains why meaningful living is important. Furthermore, he goes on to explain how every person can find the true meaning to his life.
While some of the assumptions and theories in this book are debatable according to other psychologists but from a layman’s point of view, this is a book that should be read by everyone. The first part of the book is captivating and keeps you bound to the book. The language is clear, concise and fluid. Some readers may find the second part of the book dealing with logotherapy, a bit drab because of its purely psychotherapeutic subject, but even in that complexity one is able to glean a lot that make sense to living life with more purpose and happiness.
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I would like to read this book. The way it is divided, I think I will like it. Author like him will definitely leave many takeaways for his readers.
I loved psychology as a subject but till now did not much read the books dedicated to it. the book sounds like a great read. would love to read more about the logo therapy concept as this is new to me and sounds interesting as well.
I have been exploring the subject of psychotherapy lately and have been reading a few books on the topic as well. But not many people can relate to the principles of psychology. I would love to read about logotherapy by Viktor E. Frankl. Thanks Preeti, for sharing about this book.
I always prefer reading books that instil hope and positivity in any situation of life. Would love to pick this book to know more. Thank you for sharing about the book.
I have morbid fascination for Nazi concentration camps. Have read many books related to this era. Would like to read Man’s Search for Meaning too. It has an important message about taking personal responsibility and choice, even in situations where one’s freedom is severely limited.
You just gave a great gist of this book. Thank you for your appreciation and comments!
This book isn’t an easy read. I started it and it took me long breaks and some sinking in to finish. It’s well-written though and a must-read. Good review.
Your review is bang-on..clear and concise. I love to read about human psychology but concentration camps and logotherapy seem beyond my realm.
Logotherapy is a concept that is written more for the psychologists , but his depiction of the concentration camps make you believe in the power of the human spirit.
I’ve been wanting to read this book for so long that I’ve been putting it away, your post came in as a reminder that I should start soon.
It enthuses me that this book has generated so much interest, a book that helps understand the meaning of life and the role of suffering. Thank you for your appreciation and comments!
This book has been on my TBR list for a long time. I have ignoring it only because I heard that the second part is bit dragging. But with your clear review, I guess I will pick the book for my next read. Thanks for this brilliant book review.
Even if the second part seems quite literary in its approach, the first part itself is completely worth getting the book. Thank you for your appreciation and comments!
I love to read such books, heard a lot about this book, and was glad to read an honest review. Thanks for bringing this up.
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