I remember laying on a hotel bed somewhere outside of Santa Fe and reading this book. That was ten years ago and it blew my mind then. A lot has happened since then, both in the world and in my life, but this book has remained as powerful as it ever was. Funny that I've read this book twice now without ever having checked out anything else by Frankl. Maybe that's next ( )

A powerful and inspiring work on how to find meaning in the life that’s in front of you, how to endure and find meaning even in the worst of suffering. And an introduction to the author’s theory of logotherapy. ( )

I picked up this book because it appears on almost every list of "Top Books Every Man Ought To Read Before They Die". This is my first time through it. I'm in my late 40s and not in the midst of an existential crisis - the issue of which this book hopes to resolve. However, I certainly was in that situation almost a decade ago. And, as I read the book, I found myself nodding along and agreeing with much of the conclusions Frankl came to in his studies and therapy sessions.

The edition of the book that I purchased was published in 2006. It includes not only the original test (his reflections on life in the concentration camps) but also a section where he discusses logotherapy (helping people overcome neurosis by finding meaning in their lives), another work of his called "the Case For Tragic Optimism", and an Afterward that highlights much of his life and practice.

The first half of the book - his recount of life in the concentration camps - is something anyone who enjoys history should read. It's also something students ought to read in school as a way to see just how evil the Nazi regime was (and maybe it will stop the flippant labeling of people we don't agree with as "Nazi"). Frankl talks about the conditions the prisoners lived in. But, his focus is more on the mental state of the prisoners - the various phases one often went through, how some would turn on their fellow prisoners as a means of survival, and how some would bond together to bring one another hope and comfort.

The second part of the book discusses the theory of logotherapy that Frankl developed. In this section, Frankl highlights how often he found the root cause of peoples' various phychosis was a sense of meaninglessness. And, once the therapist could help the patient discover the meaning for their life (he posits that it is unique for everyone) they begin to heal and find fulfillment. Rather than focusing on one's past (as Freud and his contemporaries taught), Frankl championed focusing on one's future as the way to wholeness.

One point that really struck home for me was Frankl (was back in 1959) talking about the existential crisis he found many people in despite living in a time of great prosperity. Most people (not all of course) didn't have to fight for food or shelter or basic needs. They were far better off than those who came before. And, yet, they struggled in life to find meaning and purpose. I have thought about this much myself - especially with those who are in the Gen Z group. There has never been a better time to be alive! But, depression is up, self-harm is up, suicide is up. Why is that?

Frankl, I think, has a good idea why. And how we can help ( )

Review scheduled for Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 at anzlitlovers.com, see https://anzlitlovers.com/2024/01/27/mans-search-for-meaning-1959-by-viktor-e-fra... ( )

An excellent read on his experience in the concentration camps for three years, and how that experience confirmed his ideas for logotherapy (finding meaning in life). There are many better reviews of this book, but I wholeheartedly give a thumbs up to all my friends and family. My wife told me to read this, and after 24 years I finally got around to it. ( )

The first half of my edition is Frankl's description of living in concentration camps during WWII, the second is about his theory of logotherapy.

I appreciated some of his thoughts, but I'm not too interested in philosophy (I know what I believe and why, and that's enough for me); also, I have a pretty healthy imagination/thought life and have already considered the topics in this book. I think those interested in philosophy or psychology (especially as a profession) would enjoy this book and get more out of it than I did.

Note: There weren't any chapter breaks, which was annoying to me.

Also: There was one comment about when humans became 'truly human,' losing 'animal instincts,' which leads me to think that Frankl believed the Darwinian theory of evolution. ( )

When one is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, there are certain books that keep getting recommended and this is definitely one of them. Written in 1946 and expanded multiple times until Frankl's death, the first part of this book describes Frankl's experience in concentration camps during World War I along with his reflections on the psychology of the camps as experienced by himself and observed in his companions. The second part of the book extrapolates on these observations and ties them into Frankl's psychological theory of logotherapy -- basically that humans are not driven by seeking pleasure (as Freud may tell you), but rather by seeking a meaning for their lives. It is hard to argue with the moral authority Frankl brings to this work. His description of the camps is matter of fact, brutal, human, and shocking, and he returns over and over again to Nietzsche's quote "He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." The second half of the book is naturally a bit more dry and sometimes lost me a bit in the world of psychological theory, but, like many people facing a hard and unchangeable situation, I found a lot here that really speaks to me. I think the translation of one of the original German titles in the afterward of my edition, Say Yes to Life In Spite of Everything, really sums up how this theory can click for someone facing a terminal illness. His exhortation to approach decision points in your life like it is your second time around and you are about to make the same mistake you did the first time also shifts things in a very interesting way. While his examples can sometimes be very dated (like implying that having children is the best source of meaning for women), and parts of it are a bit dense, there is so much good here. I can see why everyone has been recommending it to me! ( )

EXCELLENT. He believes that he made it through Auschwitz because he had a purpose and meaning to live. he defers fromFreud who says man's simply seeks happiness through unconscious thoughts memories and urges. However, Fankel says that purpose brings happiness and also gives a meaning to life ( )

I have not suffered. But I have questioned the point, the meaning of my life. In this questioning I've made myself quite miserable as I bemoan unrealized potential, missed opportunities, deferred dreams. Frankl's experiences made me pause and find new perspective. His ability to sustain hope when his life was stripped of every human right shines a light on all that does matter, that makes human life meaningful.

Here's a book to read once a year as a vivid reminder that meaning is found in every life -- including my ordinary-and-very-privileged life -- through creating or doing, through loving another, and through enduring suffering with dignity. ( )

Viktor E. Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is a story about the Nazi holocaust. Frankl – a neurologist and psychoanalyst was interned by the SS with millions of other Jews. His accounts showed how he was able to survive under such horrendous circumstances. In 1942 the American consulate in Vienna had okayed a U.S, immigration visa, but he decided to let it lapse. Frankl and his family were later arrested and deported. He therefore spent three years in concentration camps – Theresienstadt, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Kaufering, and Türkheim, part of the Dachau complex.
Frankl described the horrors in these camps. He showed how scantily the prisoners were dressed that worked in the snow, the little food they ate, the cruelty of the SS guards, and the techniques he used to survive. During this time, he witnessed many of the weaker prisoners whipped, shipped off to the gas chambers, and he willed himself to be strong although limping. It was in such a camp he received news that his wife and family were killed.
Frankl who had his manuscript on logotheraphy confiscated on his apprehension was determined to complete this work. He continued his quest for meaning of life for he considered it a key to mental health. While in his cell he was able to scribble notes on pieces of paper to jog his memory. Frankl had an instinct for self-presentation, and general acts of decency. But as one of the Jewish doctors in the camp he strove to give other prisoners hope. His astounding approach found meaning possible despite suffering. Eventually, he and some prisoners lived to be liberated from the Nazi forces. ( )

Completely self-explanatory. This man is incredible. What he went through and what he got out of it is something very few people could do. The respect and admiration people have for him is completely justified. ( )

A harrowing captivating read of the experience of being a prisoner at a concentration camp. The first part of the book I found very moving and in particular any portions pertaining to his experience in concentration camps but a large portion of the book was associated with explaining logotherapy (which he developed) which I found to be quite academic. ( )

Victor Frankl's idea is not a new one, but his life experiences and his explanation of his logotherapy are moving and helpful. I don't know if he provides a completely satisfactory counter-argument to someone like Camus, whom I also admire greatly, and I suppose one's personal philosophy of life has a piece added to it every time another great philosopher is encountered.
It would be presumptuous of me to attempt to summarize Dr. Frankl's life study and many publications in any simple way, but isn't that what the internet is for (besides pornography)? So here it is. Add the following three quotations, song lyric and Jewish myth together for an approximation of Frankl's philosophy.

1."A high station in life is earned by the gallantry with which appalling experiences are survived with grace." Tennessee Williams

2. "It is never by chance that one takes the dishonorable way." Albert Camus.

3. "The fact that life has no meaning is a reason to live - moreover, the only one." Emil Cioran

4. The lyrics to The Impossible Dream from the Man of La Mancha

5. The Kabbalistic idea of tikkun olam. ( )

My only regret is that I didn't read this book earlier in life. The seemingly clinical detachment with which Frankl writes clears the way for the meaning of his words. it is the lessons he draws from his experiences that are so valuable, not the recollections of the experiences themselves. He recounts harrowing and heartbreaking stories from his personal experience during the Holocaust, but to hold it up as an example of suffering that everyone at least intellectually understands, if not viscerally. The concept of "unconditional meaningfulness" and it's connection to Frankl's Logotherapy is a powerful one. William Winslade's afterword in this edition is a wonderfully concise and informative biography of Frankl, and helps to summarize some of ideas espoused in the first part of the book. Frankl's search for a "tragic optimism" underscores the journeys of so many, and I do think that this is one of the most important books of the twentieth century, and likely beyond, as I think the search for meaning will always be part of what it is to be human. ( )

This is not merely a man's recollection of the horrors he endured whilst imprisoned in German concentration camps during World War II. If that is the only thing you extract from this book, you did not pay proper attention.

The book primarily consist of two parts, opening with the author's experiences in concentration camps which not only leads to, but also supports, the second part focusing on logotherapy - a type of psychotherapy which has been called the Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy. Opposing the doctrines of Adler's will to power and Freud's will to pleasure, logotherapy focuses on will to meaning and is based more in existentialism, which really appealed to me. The two parts of the book should be gazed upon as two fundamental pillars supporting an arch - the meaning of the book.

Dr. Frankl's words on suffering are definitely what stood out the most to me, and they are among the things you'll be exposed to in this first part of the book. The author does a great job separating himself from the proceedings, not making it about him specifically, but just as much his observations. He applies this style throughout this chapter as he takes said observations and use them as a groundwork for applying psychological terms, which makes it very engaging instead of just telling stories of horror. For example, Frankl asserts that most inmates go through three phases, with the first being the initial shock of being in a concentration camp; the second is a phase of apathy as a sort of coping mechanism when "accustomed" to camp life; the third being the psychology of the inmate if liberated and freed, which could lead to depersonalization, disillusionment, bitterness, and other states of mind.

I was treated with many compelling and noteworthy instances in this book which truly made me think about life. Dr. Frankl puts forth a very striking analogy between gas chambers and human suffering in that if a certain amount of gas is pumped into a chamber, no matter its size, it will be filled. The suffering fills the human no matter its size, great or little, therefore suffering is absolutely relative. That, to me, was a very powerful way of painting a picture of our sufferings, and that we should not judge other's suffering or empower our own to be greater than that of others. Whilst meaning cannot be boiled down to a general recipe for all of us, the author writes that we find meaning every day in how we approach opportunities, suffering, relationships and more. What you have experienced, no power on earth can take from you, as Frankl said in a little speech to his comrades in Auschwitz. This was also the place where, one night, he was awakened by another prisoner who had a nightmare. Usually, our instinct would be to wake someone, which Frankl was about to do as well, but he then stopped. Realizing that what horror the prisoner dreamt of could match the living horror of the concentration camp.

The second part of the book, entitled "Logotherapy in a Nutshell" which indeed is a bit too "nutshelly" - too much of an overview. It tends to just rapid fire the different concepts of logotherapy at you in mind-numbing succession. This may differ depending on the reader, as I believe someone with great knowledge of psychology would see it as a light breeze, however, my level is more rudimentary. It could've done with dwelling a bit more on each concept, fleshing it out a bit more, putting some space in-between all the technical terms, so you get more of a grasp of each section. All of this does not mean it is without merit, far from it, just take it slow, as there's still golden nuggets to put in your pocket, and each concept is interesting. Some of them can just be a bit hard to digest. I particularly enjoyed the parts on love, collective neurosis, and the existential vacuum to mention a few.

My edition of the book also featured a 1992 preface by Dr. Frankl, or Number 119,104 as his "name" was in the camps, and ends with a small chapter based on a lecture he presented in 1983, focusing on tragic optimism. Each of the two are worthy additions to the book, functioning as both the opening, and the drawing of the curtains, as if the start and end of a great presentation.

"Man's Search for Meaning" just falls short of having a grandiose impact on me, not necessarily because of shortcomings, but what I've read and been exposed to prior to my unfolding of this book, so I always already familiar with some of the concepts, only told differently. With that being said, I will still highly recommend reading this book as it still is very applicable in today's pleasure-seeking digital world, which became glaringly obvious to me during the Covid lockdowns. This was when a sizeable portion of people ran out of things to watch on their arbitrary streaming platform to entertain and paralyse them, suddenly they were left with themselves, their own existential vacuum.
They could very well have benefitted from reading this book and its many gripping moments, and thus I will end with a few words of wisdom from Dr. Viktor E. Frankl: "[...] A human is a finite thing, and his freedom is restricted. It is not freedom from conditions, but it is freedom to take a stand toward the conditions. As I once put it: As a professor in two fields, neurology and psychiatry, I am fully aware of the extent to which man is subject to biological, psychological and sociological conditions. But in addition to being a professor in two fields I am a survivor of four camps - concentration camps, that is - and as such I also bear witness to the unexpected extent to which man is capable of defying and braving even the worst conditions conceivable." ( )

Just read this for the second time and it has the rare accomplishment of being just as powerful a reading experience as it was when I first read it. Do not be discouraged by seeing how popular this work is, it is not some vapid self-help twaddle that can be easily lumped in with the other works that likely surround it in various bookshops across the world. It really is something special that stands as a testament to the inherent meaning of life that can be uncovered in even the most dire circumstances.

There is a small passage that I must have overlooked in my first reading that discusses love, it is possibly one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever read pertaining to that subject. I’m not ashamed to admit it produced a couple of tears from yours truly. I would highly recommend this work if you haven’t read it already. ( )

It unveils many perspectives of a human life. ( )

Somewhere I read that this was a helpful book to read while coping with the covid pandemic. His memoir of his time in the concentration camps was revealing and devastating while also tinged with hope and humor. But the second part about logotherapy went way over my head. The jacket copy pretty much distilled it in a couple of sentences, but I'll probably do a little research to get a firmer idea of what logotherapy is. ( )

Every account of the Holocaust is sad and disturbing but this one feels different. The author writes his story as if he hovered above it all and observed. His take on life really makes you think and it's amazing how he explains why some of us keep pushing forward even in our darkest times. The only reason I've given three stars is because I got a bit lost at the end when he describes terms pertaining to psychology. Overall though, this book is another account of a horror we must never forget, an account that all of us should read and understand so that we may be able to prevent history from repeating itself. One never knows what dreadful things are lurking just around the corner. We must never forget. ( )

The last book I read during this year (2015) and the one with the most impact on me. A long time since a book made me think, feel and reflect so deeply on life. Truly a a masterpiece and a gem of a book! ( )

A re-read of this great little book but now on my hardcover gift edition. Amazing how many new things one gets from a reread just by being in a different part of life. Almost 5 years later, still an inspiring book, and this time I found new personal insights on finding meaning in suffering. ( )

Interesting and thought provoking. ( )

A pivotal book, particularly the first part.

I I read this book for the first time when I was a new adult. It took me many, many years read it again, a few months ago. But my third reading I think it willll be before the end of this year, because I go back again and again to remember quotes, feels, thoughts.

This is really a book capable of exerting such an influence thatit leads us to have a new outlook on life and take action accordingly. ( )

I don't know where to begin. I cannot do this book justice by merely stating my opinion of it, and I cannot tell you how much it changed me and changed my view of my existence. I've always suffered to find meaning, and have always believed in the absurdity of life. Maybe life IS absurd, who knows? But I now get to give it meaning. Yes, you can give meaning to going through something absurd.

Dr. Viktor Frankl was a brilliant, brilliant man. I am surprised I haven't heard of him before reading this book (am I the one to blame? Perhaps.) Let me start by saying that this is one of the rare, rare books where there's absolutely no excess. Every word in it is important, and every passage changed one thing or the other about me. I am not overselling this book, I am just shocked at how could written text move me, since I am one of those people who is not easily convinced at all, not even by myself.

The book is composed of two main parts; the first part is an autobiographical story written by Dr. Frankl about his experience and observations, REAL observations, at the Nazi death camp. It was very emotional, and soul-enriching. If not for its psychological, scientific value, then for its historical one. The second part, which is 'Logotherapy in a Nutshell', is where Dr. Frankl explains in a scientific manner (but an easily understood and accessible one) what he knows, and things concerning existential matters and logotherapy in general. I especially liked how he is not submitting to the psychoanalysis cookie-cutter method of dealing with patients (I was going to mention what bits of the book gripped me the most, but then I had to list over half of the titles used. You should just read it.)

One of the big things that completely got my attention and won an "AHA!" moment, was when he explained how most of psychotherapeutic systems are flawed when depicting the human being as this being who has his own issues and complexity and inner battles that were going on within his psychological system, that he is completely detached from the outside world, and that he must do everything from within to heal himself. [He speaks of this in the interview below].

I think I will pick up the book again sometime soon. For the time being, I recommend watching his interview on YouTube (3 parts): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EIxGrIc_6g ( )

This book...

It tells of the ability to adapt. The way the human spirit can be crushed, but can also keep a tiny glimpse of its light all the way through the most harrowing of experiences. The actual events itself is very little of the book. The way he psychoanalyzes his personal experience is what completely blew my mind and made this an amazing book. ( )