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4.0
Man's Search for Meaning
ByPublisher Description
A new gift edition of a modern classic, with supplemental photographs, speeches, letters, and essays
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl’s memoir of life in Nazi death camps has riveted generations of readers. Based on Frankl’s own experience and the stories of his patients, the book argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward. Man’s Search for Meaning has become one of the most influential books of our times, selling over twelve million copies worldwide. With a foreword by Harold S. Kushner, Frankl’s classic is presented here in an elegant new edition with endpapers, supplementary photographs, and several of Frankl’s previously unpublished letters, speeches, and essays.
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl’s memoir of life in Nazi death camps has riveted generations of readers. Based on Frankl’s own experience and the stories of his patients, the book argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward. Man’s Search for Meaning has become one of the most influential books of our times, selling over twelve million copies worldwide. With a foreword by Harold S. Kushner, Frankl’s classic is presented here in an elegant new edition with endpapers, supplementary photographs, and several of Frankl’s previously unpublished letters, speeches, and essays.
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4.0
“This book has a lot of high ratings so I was expecting to be blown away. I wasn't, I was a bit disappointed to be honest.
First, Frankl writes this book as if from an observer's perspective, but it's his own personal perspective. It's possible this use of language is a way to distance himself from what he experienced (it was obviously very traumatic) but I think it may be a bit misleading. He is stating things as if they are facts, but it was his own observances. It wasn't a scientific experiment, it was an extremely traumatic period of time that he experienced.
Second, I don't believe that how we process trauma comes down to sheer grit, which is kind of what he says at one point. Obviously, there's been more research on trauma since this book's publication but I think it should be noted for the current readers that some (if not most?) of what Frankl is writing about is outdated. AND it is his own opinion - this is not a research paper, this is a memoir.
I do get what he is saying. We can't control what happens to us, we can only control how we respond. And if you find meaning in your suffering then you will lessen the impact your suffering has. I get that. But it seems a little simplistic to me. If it were truly that simple, then I don't think a lot of people would have depression or anxiety, victims of crime wouldn't have lasting trauma, etc. It's just a bit too simplistic - we know today that trauma literally changes your brain. Your brain rewires after being exposed to traumatic experiences and everyone's brain rewires differently. His idea is a nice thought, and can certainly work for some, but I don't think it's a practical solution for everyone.”
“I’ve thought a lot about this book since I finished it about 24-hours ago. First, I think that every person should read this book. If possible, reading it right as one crosses into adulthood would truly benefit any individual as this lays the foundation for you to see things in life (for yourself) that are worth pushing on for.
This book doesn’t take the approach of “let me tell you how hard my life was so that you can feel better about yours” but rather it shows that no matter where you are or what you are doing you can find meaning in something.
Additionally, it shows the lifelong study the author did on the topic up until his passing. I’m thankful that the current version shows several other exerts from the author on new findings as well as conversations had with others in that same field.
Overall, I wish I would have read this book 10-15 years ago vice waiting until now, but I still truly appreciated it nonetheless.”
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