Product Description Mans Search for Meaning is the chilling yet inspirational story of Viktor Frankls struggle to hold on to hope during his years as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps where he endured unspeakable horror. Frankls training as a psychiatrist informed every waking moment of his ordeal and allowed him a remarkable perspective on the psychology of survival.
Amazon.com Review Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is among the most influential works of psychiatric literature since Freud. The book begins with a lengthy, austere, and deeply moving personal essay about Frankl's imprisonment in Auschwitz and other concentration camps for five years, and his struggle during this time to find reasons to live. The second part of the book, called »Logotherapy in a Nutshell,« describes the psychotherapeutic method that Frankl pioneered as a result of his experiences in the concentration camps. Freud believed that sexual instincts and urges were the driving force of humanity's life; Frankl, by contrast, believes that man's deepest desire is to search for meaning and purpose. Frankl's logotherapy, therefore, is much more compatible with Western religions than Freudian psychotherapy. This is a fascinating, sophisticated, and very human book. At times, Frankl's personal and professional discourses merge into a style of tremendous power. »Our generation is realistic, for we have come to know man as he really is,« Frankl writes. »After all, man is that being who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord's Prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips.«
reviews
life changing
This is truley a life changing, mind expanding work of art. This is what America needs to read.
Extra Credit Earns Stars
I was impressed with the quality of the book copy I recieved, as always. THANKS AMAZON.COM!!! My daughter needed it to earn extra credit in school. While she is an A student across the board, she always takes advantage of additional projects when possible for a higher GPA. She told me that the book was an easy read and quite enjoyable.
keep a highlighter close at hand.
Truly an inspirational book. In fact it goes beyond simply inspiring a reader. In my opinion Mr. Frankl's writing are full wisdom and insight. Time and again I cought myself saying, "Yes!" & "Exactly," but mostly thinking at what wisdom can come from extreme situations and deep common sense. I applaud Mr. Frankl for not only a life well lived, but for his decisions and service to his fellow man.
Most highly recommended.
Life changing book
Man's Search for Meaning changed my life for better by giving a compassionate view of our shared struggles to understand and overcome the evil we are willing to do to each other.
The first part of the book is a straight forward narrative of Viktor Frankl's years in various concentration camps of Nazi Germany. Frankl was a neurosurgeon and psychiatrist whose insights into the experience of grotesque devaluation of life are priceless.
The second part of the book are the beginning observations that lead to developing a new psychological school, »Logotherapy«.
Cherishing this book, I bought this copy for a lifer in the »hole« in prison. He reports that it has calmed him down a great deal. Hopefully he will find a meaning to his life …
Never received my book
I ordered the book on May 8th, it's June 10th and I have yet to receive it. I've emailed the seller twice and haven't received a response. Next time I'm buying my book new from Barnes & Noble.