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Man's Search for Meaning
A book for finding purpose and strength in times of great despair, the international best-seller is still just as relevant today as when it was first published. "This is a book I reread a lot . . . it gives me hope . . . it gives me a sense of strength."
--Anderson Cooper, Anderson Cooper 360/CNN This seminal book, which has been called "one of the outstanding contributions to psychological thought" by Carl Rogers and "one of the great books of our time" by Harold Kushner, has been translated into more than fifty languages and sold over sixteen million copies. "An enduring work of survival literature," according to the New York Times, Viktor Frankl's riveting account of his time in the Nazi concentration camps, and his insightful exploration of the human will to find meaning in spite of the worst adversity, has offered solace and guidance to generations of readers since it was first published in 1946. At the heart of Frankl's theory of logotherapy (from the Greek word for "meaning") is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but rather the discovery and pursuit of what the individual finds meaningful. Today, as new generations face new challenges and an ever more complex and uncertain world, Frankl's classic work continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living, in spite of all obstacles. A must-read companion to this classic work, a new, never-before-published work by Frankl entitled Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything, is now available in English. This book was published with two different covers. Customers will be shipped the book with one of the available covers.
--Anderson Cooper, Anderson Cooper 360/CNN This seminal book, which has been called "one of the outstanding contributions to psychological thought" by Carl Rogers and "one of the great books of our time" by Harold Kushner, has been translated into more than fifty languages and sold over sixteen million copies. "An enduring work of survival literature," according to the New York Times, Viktor Frankl's riveting account of his time in the Nazi concentration camps, and his insightful exploration of the human will to find meaning in spite of the worst adversity, has offered solace and guidance to generations of readers since it was first published in 1946. At the heart of Frankl's theory of logotherapy (from the Greek word for "meaning") is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but rather the discovery and pursuit of what the individual finds meaningful. Today, as new generations face new challenges and an ever more complex and uncertain world, Frankl's classic work continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living, in spite of all obstacles. A must-read companion to this classic work, a new, never-before-published work by Frankl entitled Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything, is now available in English. This book was published with two different covers. Customers will be shipped the book with one of the available covers.
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Community Reviews
“Man’s Search for Meaning” is one of the most cited works I come across in all my reading. When you see a work referenced so much you go straight to the source for a deeper understanding. After sitting with it for some time, I came away realizing this should be mandatory reading. It’s truth telling and enlightened perspective is so needed today.
Viktor Frankl’s style is succinct and unapologetically candid. The book’s brevity is balanced by its profound & timeless wisdom born out of extreme suffering. His painful retelling of concentration camp survival guides us through unimaginable evils with a tone that almost pities the reader. Frankl’s experience is a bitter pill to take but it offers equal parts hope. Frankl also proves prophetic in his observations on American life and its bastardized outlook on the meaning of life.
It makes sense then that Frankl is so often cited. Any work that explores the 20th century human condition or later would be wise to gleam from Frankl’s astute analysis of man’s search for meaning. Especially in the face of the escalation of horrors enacted on one another in the present age. I came away thinking that hope, meaning, purpose are all found in the maintaining of even the tiniest shard of agency over one’s self. Be it perspective, dignity, or more actionable things.
WOW. Great book. I would recommend the first half of this book to almost anyone. It tells of Frankl's experiences in the concentration camp of WWII. After hearing of his stories I would find it hard to complain about anything in my own life. It then discusses his school of thought on his own logotherapy method. The second half of the book might not be for everyone since it is a little dry. But it still is informative for anyone interested in hearing of human drive and finding meaning in their own lives. Keep in mind this book only introduces you to his logotherapy ideas. He has several other books on the subject matter.
To endure the loss of everything, to be crushed and stripped of all you hold dear in an instant, can feel like an insurmountable challenge. It can reduce one's sense of self to that of an animal, devoid of the morality that once defined them. Yet, even in the depths of despair, there is a wellspring of inner strength that can guide and illuminate our path forward. It is through the accumulation of small victories, achieved daily, that hope and courage can be restored.
This resilient hope and unwavering desire to keep living can be nurtured within the recesses of our imagination or subconscious mind. Here, dreams and joys can be brought to life, offering solace and inspiration. However, after enduring relentless hard work and unwavering determination, the realization of those dreams may not match the idyllic scenes imagined. This discrepancy can be jarring, causing a spiritual and moral upheaval as we merge back into the fabric of existence.
Only through a rebirth, akin to that of a child, can one truly relate to this experience. The joy, happiness, and pleasure felt in the aftermath are not only new, but they also bring a sense of liberation from prior suffering and discomfort. It is a transformation that defies expectation, allowing for newfound enjoyment and appreciation of life's blessings.
In the face of unimaginable adversity, we have the power to rise above, to rebuild, and to find beauty in the most unexpected places. It is through this journey of rediscovery that we can find the strength to carry on and embrace the extraordinary potential within ourselves.
It is with great inner work and fear for the divine does then only the suffering dissipate and the expectations of the results or dreams that do not come as expected can one achieve this freedom and merger into life as he so desires. This disillusionment can change one’s personality as he battles the repeat events of suffering long beyond the first strike. True liberation is finally achieved when one removes the nightmares of the past and using the experience to grow and shape their future. Letting go of the events that haunt them fighting evil with good and defeating it with their trust and faith in powers greater than one’s self.
Truly words written in history that last a lifetime showing us that Man’s search for Meaning can be found in the most difficult times providing us with purpose not taking from life what we think we need but to let life give what is necessary to survive.
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