Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Man's Search for Meaning
Book Review: Man's Search for Meaning
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a classic as both an compelling human story and a model of self-help, self-actualization. It is a tough story of surviving an unbelievable trial but if you want to learn about building self accountability and strength, this classic book on your library shelf. Book Review: A response to life
Summary: 4 Stars
Psychologist Viktor Frankl's autobiography examining his struggle to survive four concentration camps.
It is an inspirational story that defines mankind's potential for greatness whatever the circumstances. I read a few pages at night to reinforce my spirit.
The first 100 pages describe Frankl's experiences within the concentration camps. The remainder of the book explains Logotheraphy, Frankl's psychotherapy to treat despair and indifference.
Within the camps Frankl saw what a difference a purpose had on a camp prisoner's state of mind, starting with his own. He noted that those who expected things from the world were vulnerable to disappointment, and that when expectations were totally dashed people lost the will to live. Frankl's answer to us all, 'It doesn't really matter what we expect from life but rather what life expects from us'! Thus he exhorts us to find a worthy pursuit, whatever the circumstances; if circumstances destroy hope of success then find a better goal and don't be victim of your expectations.
After the war Frankl practiced Logotherapy. Logotherapy is an alternative psychotherapy to Freudian psychoanalysis. Whereas Freudian psychoanalysis typically tried to solve discontent by tackling unresolved relationships from the past, Logotherapy helps discontents find a way of living under current circumstances to create a sense of meaning. Many successes are described in the book. The aim of Logotherapy is to identify an inspiring goal. Frankl says people risk creating objectives that ring hollow; I want money, I want power. He stresses that the full realization of our potential can only be achieved when we direct our objectives away from ourselves, when we transcend ourselves. This self-transcendence, he says, has self-fulfillment as a side-effect. So I like to paraphrase his philosophy as 'What now is my answer to my life and who is my answer for?'
PS I rate the book with FIVE stars, but there is no way to correct my mistake.
Book Review: Meat is good, trimmings a bit much:
Summary: 4 Stars
I found the authors experiences in the death camps very interesting and well written. I appreciate my life more every time I read such survival story's. I cannot begin to comprehend how anyone survived these camps considering their exposure to the elements with virtually no food to provide the energy for work or the body warmth/immunity to ward off illness and disease. God Bless Mr. Frankl and all others who survived.
The more psychoanalytical add ons at the end of the book were more in depth than my literary interests or needs at this sector of my life.
Book Review: Frankl should know!
Summary: 5 Stars
A Nazi camp survivor, Frankl should know about searching for meaning. First part contains his account of time in the concentration camps. Second part serves as an introduction to logotherapy, imparting a sense of hope in psychotherapy patients by helping them find the meaning in their life or hardship. Frankl states that meaning is an innate need for all people, not just a reaction formation or ego issue. It makes sense to me, and as a survivor, Frankl has the "credentials" to back it up!Book Review: Interesting
Summary: 4 Stars
This book was exactly what I expected and was oddly similar (but obviously not as cruel) as basic training. I liked his story, he's a very brilliant man. "Man's Search for Meaning" basically cronicles this psychologists' (Viktor E. Frankl) experiences at Auschwitz extermination camp in World War II. Frankl gives the reader an inside look at his day-to-day life, what he thought about while away, and essentially how he was lucky enough to survive.