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Title: Man's Search for Meaning
Authors: Frankl, Viktor E
Genre: Non Fiction
Pages: 221
Year: 1984
Language: English
Description: A dispassionate account of this renowned psychiatrist's time in concentration camps during World War Two. From these experiences, he developed 'logotherapy', a therapeutic model encouraging the person to look forward to meaning in life in contrast to the retrospection and introspection of psychotherapy. Frankl's classic bestseller (originally published in 1947) continues to offer theoretical and practical insights for finding meaning in one's life experiences.

Comments from Groups:

We had a lively discussion - we felt it was a good book to read, but would have never picked it up off the shelf. Greymouth 001.

Although we could not say that this was a book to "enjoy", most found it an interesting read followed by a lively discussion. Blenheim 003.

Best discussion of the year - perhaps we all look for "meaning" in our literature. Hamilton 007.

A most profound read. Most of the group needed to re-read to understand/absorb some parts. Good discussion. Christchurch 042.

Categories: Non fiction, Morals/Ethics, Philosophy

Reviews

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By: TAUR 004 2025-05-14 10:08:42
3 
Most struggled with the book, but a good discussion about the meaning of life and the resilience of humankind in horrific conditions, and the lack of resilience in modern day.

By: DARF 004 2023-06-23 11:20:32
3 
Depressing but made everyone think. Some members were put off by the thought of reading such a very heavy book.

By: KAPITI 004 2023-06-19 11:48:42
3 
All gained insight into either life in a concentration camp or the human ability to survive in appalling conditions, or both. Most did not enjoy Part 2 - too technical and the cases too simplistic.

By: RENW 001 2023-06-19 11:46:54
2 
Unfortunately the majority did not enjoy the book and it did not change their life. They thought it was more like a textbook.

By: NELS 009 2023-06-19 11:45:35
3 
Mixed thoughts on book. Difficult subject to discuss without emotion. All were glad in the end to have read the book.

By: AUCK 134 2023-06-19 11:41:12
4 
It was touching and profound! A clinician's detachment in describing human behaviour in the concentration camp.

By: COROM 002 2023-06-19 11:39:17
4.5 
This little book was so worth reading....Frankl's concentration camp recollections not overly grim, but adding authenticity to his conclusions on man's ability to endure and find meaning in life. It still has total relevance to today's problems. We thought it our best book of the year.

By: OPOTI 003 2023-06-19 11:35:18
4 
We are all pleased to have read this and would really recommend it to other groups. The first part of the book was interesting at so many levels, and the second part followed on from his experiences.

By: AUCK 210 2023-06-19 11:24:04
4 
A lot of discussion with this book, so much so that we never had time to read the questions!

By: INVER 026 2023-06-19 11:21:52
5 
This is a book that everyone should read.

By: TEPIR 001 2023-06-19 11:21:13
3 
A difficult read, but worthwhile for those who persevered.

By: WELL 022 2023-06-19 11:20:23
4 
This book generated great, lively discussion. Some members loved it and found it stimulated a lot of thought. Others wondered if they would have enjoyed it more if they were reading it in their early twenties.

By: WHANG 017 2023-06-19 11:18:48
4 
Most found this very moving but the second half very difficult to understand.

 
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