MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING

Rating:
Summary: The kind of book you'll read more than once
Review: This book has helped me through so many difficult times in my life. It is full of truths. It will cause you to question why you are here but will not give you any clues to the answer. The answers are within you

Rating:
Summary: The importance of 'meaning' in life
Review: The fundamental insight of Frankl's book that having a ' meaning or purpose' in one's life is central to one's survival and well- being on one hand seems obvious, on another most profound. It is however interesting that Frankl's account is somewhat contradicted by the experience of another of the 'survivors' Primo Levi. For Levi survival depended a great deal on one's good luck, regardless of one's attitude or virtue. I think in general that those like Frankl and Levi who survived the ' worse horror ' have a kind of authenticity as witnesses which obliges us to give what they say, special attention and consideration.
In this sense I think too that Frankl's central insight about our being moral creatures, who can help make meaning in our lives even in the most extreme circumstances is a very significant one.

Rating:
Summary: From Concentration Camp Survivor to Respected Psychiatrist
Review: +++++

This book, by Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry (at the University of Vienna Medical School) Dr. Viktor Frankl (1905 to 1997) has five divisions:

(1) Preface by the Gordon Allport. (Comprises 4 pages.) Allport was formerly a professor of psychology at Harvard. It was mainly through his efforts that Frankl's work was introduced to North America. Here he highlights key aspects of Frankl's book. I agree with him when he says:

"A psychiatrist who personally has faced such extremity [of spending three years at Auschwitz and other Nazi concentration camps] is a psychiatrist worth listening to. He, if anyone, should be able to view our human condition wisely and with compassion."

(2) A recent preface by Frankl where he discusses his book (first published in German in 1946) and other significant matters. (3 pages.) He states the true intention of his book:

"I...wanted simply to convey to the reader by way of concrete example that life holds a potential meaning under any conditions, even the most miserable ones."

(3) Frankl's actual book. (130 pages.) It consists of two parts, "Experiences in a Concentration Camp" and "Logotherapy in a Nutshell" respectively. (Logotherapy was the psychotherapy developed by Frankl.) More of this division will be explained
below.

(4) A postscript by Frankl written in 1983 entitled "The Case for a Tragic Optimism." (15 pages.) This section is very interesting. By tragic optimism Frankl "means that one...remains optimistic in spite of [tragedy]." He goes on to state that "[t]his chapter...raises the question, `How is it possible to say yes to life in spite of [overwhelming tragedy]?'" Even though I disagree with certain parts, it still is packed with wisdom and facts. My favorite piece of information from this section:

"Austrian...pollsters recently reported that those held in highest esteem by most...people interviewed are neither...great artists nor...great scientists, neither...great statesmen nor...great sports figures, but those who master a hard lot [or hard circumstances] with their head held high."

(5) An extensive bibliography of Logotherapy. (40 pages.)

Part one (consisting of 85 pages) of Frankl's actual two part book begins with the following:

"This book does not claim to be an account of facts and events but of [my] personal experiences...It is the inside story [or autobiographical story] of a concentration camp, told by one of its survivors."

And what a story it is!! This story is not concerned with great horrors (well-documented in other books) but "with the multitude of small torments" that were endured. Not only does Frankl relate his experiences, but he also details his observations and conclusions based on those observations. He also imparts to the reader his wisdom (not all of which I agree with). Four of my favorite wise sayings that he imparts are:

(1) "An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior."
(2) "Suffering is [a]...part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete."
(3) "Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual."
(4) "No one has the right to do harm, not even if wrong has been done to them."

He also passes on to his readers philosophical truths. Two of my favorites come from the philosopher Nietzsche:

(1) "He who has a WHY to live for can bear almost any HOW."
(2) "That which does not kill [or destroy] me, makes me stronger."

Part two (35 pages) introduces the reader to "logotherapy," the theory of psychotherapy developed by Frankl from his experiences in the concentration camp (that were outlined in part one).

"Logotherapy...focuses on the meaning of human existence as well as on [a person's] search for such meaning." Thus, Frankl "speak[s] of a will to meaning in contrast to...the will to pleasure on which Freudian psychoanalysis is centered, as well as in contrast to the will to power on which Adlerian psychology...is focused."

This part is not difficult to understand and is simply written. Here, Frankl again imparts his wisdom to the reader (not all of which I agree with). Two of my favorite wise sayings are:

(1) "[A person] should not ask what the meaning of life is, but rather [that person] must recognize that it is he [or she] who is asked."
(2) "The meaning of life always changes, but...it never ceases to be."

This part consists of about twenty small, easy-to-read sections. Examples of the titles of these sections include:

(1) The Will to Meaning
(2) The Meaning of Life
(3) The Essence of Existence
(4) The Meaning of Suffering
(5) The Meaning of Love

In conclusion, read this life-transforming book and discover for yourself why it has been translated into more than twenty languages, why it has seen nearly one hundred printings in English, and why it is, according to the Library of Congress, "One of the ten most influential books in America!!!"

+++++