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Man's Search For Meaning

The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust
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( 768,551 ratings, 42,533 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 his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and introduces his psychotherapeutic method of finding meaning in all forms of existence. Frankl argues that life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable ones, and that our primary drive in life is the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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 like this book if you are interested in exploring profound insights on finding purpose through adversity, inspired by the author's experiences in Nazi concentration camps. This book may appeal to you if you seek a compelling blend of personal narrative and psychological wisdom.

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Man's Search For Meaning

The author was able to observe the way that he and other inmates coped with the experience of being in Auschwitz. He noticed that it was the men who comforted others and who gave away their last piece of bread who survived the longest. It offers us all a way to transcend suffering and find significance in the art of living.

Translated into at least 24 languages and with over 12 million copies sold worldwide, Man's Search for Meaning is one of the seminal pieces of literature to emerge from the Second World War.

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, thought-provoking memoir and psychological exploration that delves into the harrowing experiences of life in Nazi concentration camps, intertwined with the author’s groundbreaking theories on existential psychology. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a beacon of hope and a roadmap for finding purpose amidst unimaginable suffering.

Viktor Frankl, a prominent Viennese psychiatrist, was interned in Auschwitz and other concentration camps during World War II. Through his unique perspective as a trained observer of human behaviour, he recounts the daily struggles and conditions of the prisoners, shedding light on how different individuals coped with the brutality and dehumanisation they faced. Frankl observed that those who managed to find meaning, even in the direst circumstances, were more likely to survive. These individuals often demonstrated selflessness, offering comfort to others and sharing even the meagre rations they had, illustrating an indomitable will to maintain their humanity.

One of the core revelations Frankl shares is the idea that while external circumstances can strip away almost everything from a person, one’s inner freedom – the ability to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances – remains inviolable. He posits that the type of person a prisoner becomes is primarily determined by an inner decision rather than the oppressive external conditions of the camp. Those who clung to their moral and spiritual selves, despite the overwhelming odds, managed to transform their suffering into a form of inner triumph, transcending the camps' dehumanising influence.

Frankl’s experiences led him to develop his theory of logotherapy, centred on the belief that the primary motivational force in humans is the search for meaning. He argues that when a person discovers a purpose or significance to their suffering, it becomes bearable, and they can endure almost any hardship. This powerful insight provides a critical framework for understanding human suffering and offers a practical approach to finding fulfilment and motivation in life.

With over 16 million copies sold worldwide and translated into at least 24 languages, Man's Search for Meaning is not just a historical account; it is a timeless guide to finding meaning and purpose in life. Frankl's profound observations, coupled with his moving narrative, make this book an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the depths of human resilience and the crucial role of meaning in our lives.

This exceptional work continues to inspire and educate, offering readers a way to transcend their own suffering and discover significance in the art of living. As relevant today as it was when first published, Man's Search for Meaning is a seminal piece of literature that will resonate deeply with anyone looking for hope and direction in a complex and often challenging world.

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 is highly praised for its profound impact on readers, offering transformative insights into human freedom, dignity, and the search for meaning. It's described as a remarkable and enduring work of survival literature, cherished by many and essential for understanding the human condition.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781846041242

Publisher: Ebury Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 February 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Rider & Co

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 110.0mm

Height: 177.0mm

Weight: 92g

Pages: 160

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.

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