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Man's Search For Meaning

The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust (With New Material)
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( 771,988 ratings, 42,689 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl explores the author's experiences in Nazi concentration camps and the development of his philosophy called logotherapy. It delves into finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the face of extreme suffering.
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Format: Hardback
$3000
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are seeking a profound understanding of how individuals find purpose in life, even amidst extreme adversity. It combines philosophical reflection with gripping personal narrative, making it a compelling read for those interested in psychology, existentialism, and human resilience.

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Man's Search For Meaning

Only those who allowed their inner hold on their moral and spiritual selves to subside eventually fell victim to the camp's degenerating influence - while those who made a victory of those experiences turned them into an inner triumph.

A handsome gift edition of one of the seminal pieces of literature to emerge from the Second World War- Viktor Frankl's moving account of his experiences in Auschwitz.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound piece of literature that delves into the depths of human resilience and the quest for purpose. This remarkable book, which is now available in a handsome gift edition featuring a new introduction and appendices, is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human condition through the lens of one man's harrowing experience during World War II.

In this moving account, Frankl, a prominent Viennese psychiatrist, describes his experiences as a prisoner in Auschwitz, one of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps. Through his unique perspective, Frankl recounts the unimaginable horrors that he and others endured. Yet, it is not merely a tale of suffering; it is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and spirit under extreme duress.

Frankl observed the different ways in which his fellow prisoners coped with their circumstances, noting that those who focused on helping others and maintained a sense of inner purpose seemed to endure the ordeal more successfully. He witnessed men giving away their last piece of bread and comforting others, acts of selflessness that exemplified the strength of the human spirit.

The central theme of Man's Search for Meaning is encapsulated in Frankl's assertion that everything can be taken from us except the freedom to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. In the camps, the prisoners who managed to retain their hold on their moral and spiritual well-being survived the longest. They were able to turn their suffering into an inner triumph, transforming their harrowing experiences into a testament to the resilience of the human soul.

Frankl's experiences led him to a profound philosophical conclusion: man's deepest desire is to seek meaning and purpose in life. This search for meaning is what drives us to rise above our suffering and find significance even in the most adverse conditions.

The book is divided into two main parts. The first part is a detailed account of Frankl's experiences in the concentration camps, offering a gripping and heart-wrenching narrative that lays bare the cruelty and inhumanity faced by millions. The second part presents the core tenets of logotherapy, Frankl's groundbreaking psychological theory, which posits that the primary human drive is not pleasure, as Freud suggested, but the pursuit of what he calls "man's will to meaning."

As one of the seminal works to emerge from the atrocities of World War II, Man's Search for Meaning holds an enduring place in literature and psychology. It provides a compelling roadmap for transcending suffering and finding meaning in life, making it an essential read for anyone seeking insight into the nature of human existence and resilience. Frankl's message is timeless and universal: in the face of suffering, we can choose our attitude and find purpose that not only helps us survive but also thrive.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E Frankl is hailed as an enduring work of survival literature, essential reading for understanding the human condition. Praised for its poignant testimony and profound impact, it is recommended as a life-changing book by various prominent figures.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781846042843

Publisher: Ebury Publishing

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 20 January 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Rider & Co

Edition: Special edition

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Dr Martin Gilbert

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 142.0mm

Height: 222.0mm

Weight: 276g

Pages: 176

About the Author

Viktor Frankl was born in Vienna in 1905 and was Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Vienna Medical School. His wife, father, mother and brother all died in Nazi concentration camps; only he and his sister survived, but he never lost the qualities of compassion, loyalty, undaunted spirit and thirst for life (earning his pilot's licence aged 67). He died in Vienna in 1997. www.viktorfrankl.org

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