Man's Search for Meaning

By: Viktor E. Frankl

Narrated by: Theo Solomon

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

As relevant today as it was when it was first published, Man’s Search for Meaning is a book for finding strength and purpose in times of great despair.

“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

Viktor E. Frankl was a medical doctor at a psychiatric hospital in 1942 when he became a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps in World War II. In 1946, he published this book about his camp experiences and a method of psychotherapy he developed. Forty-five years later, it was still named one of the most influential books in the United States.

Part One describes his three years in four Nazi concentration camps, which took the lives of his wife, father, mother, and brother. He closely observed inmates’ reactions to their situation, as well as how survivors came to terms with their liberation.

Part Two, introducing logotherapy, is an academic discussion of the psychological reactions experienced by all inmates to one degree or another. It solidified Frankl’s early theory that humanity’s primary motivational force is finding meaning in one’s life.

In Germany, titled Ein Psychologe erlebt das Konzentrationslager, or A Psychologist Experiences the Concentration Camp, its title in the first English translation was From Death-Camp to Existentialism. As of 2022, this book has sold 16 million copies and been published in 52 languages.

©1959, 1962, 1984, 1992, 2006 Viktor E. Frankl (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Was this a good book?

This book was a little bit hard to follow.
It jumped from topic to topic too fast for me.
The overall theme was good. But I didn’t like how some of the book was written, because it was confusing at times. I give this book a (B+).

Outstanding

Personal and insightful - the simplicity of the presentation is remarkable given the depth and weight of the subject matter.

very interesting

Very intriguing story. educative. good for most ages. the reader was good too. you will not regret

Amazing book

I had heard about this book for years, and I loved it. So many life lessons included. I’ll likely go back to this book annually.

This was great.

I already bought copies for my friends. Fantastic book and a worthwhile read for anyone who is introspective enough to appreciate it.

Must read

Very a Important read for all. Most particularly in these difficult times all around the world. Highly recommended

Meaningless or do we have the right attitude to give it meaning.

You have the freedom to choose your perspective/ perception and you have the will to choose meaning or pleasure.

A Must Read For All

This is one of those books that you don’t just read once. You read it, then read it again, and then continue reading it, living it, and studying it.

So much to learn for this man’s life and life’s work. His purpose was and still is to teach people how to find their purpose. Thank you Viktor Frankl for this wonderful gift.

Top 2 or 3 books I've ever read

Best book I've heard on Audible and top 2 or 3 for me all time. Changed my life and I want to listen to it again immediately.

A must read. Relevant today

This is just as relevant today as then. Our current society is still preoccupied with happiness as a goal and feelings being more important than reason and mediocrity as a value over bettering oneself. Victim culture, collective guilt and equity of outcomes are championed over personal responsibility, accountability and excellence. Not surprisingly, suicide and drug addiction have been on the rise.