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51 pages 1 hour read

Man's Search for Meaning

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1946

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Book Brief

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Victor Frankl

Man's Search for Meaning

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1946
Book Details
Pages

165

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Europe • 1940s

Publication Year

1946

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl details the author's experiences in a Nazi concentration camp and his attempts to understand and overcome the trauma. It comprises three parts: Frankl's camp experiences, an introduction to his psychotherapy method called "logotherapy," and a postscript discussing "tragic optimism." Frankl emphasizes that finding purpose can help individuals endure extreme suffering, using his experiences and observations to illustrate three sources of life meaning: achievement, love, and the courage to face suffering. The book discusses sensitive topics including genocide and extreme human suffering.

Inspirational

Contemplative

Emotional

Hopeful

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.5

843,102 ratings

87%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning garners praise for its profound exploration of finding purpose despite suffering. Reviewers commend its impactful blend of personal narrative and psychological insight. However, some note its heavy tone may not appeal to all readers. Overall, it's seen as a transformative and essential read in existential literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Man's Search for Meaning?

A reader who would enjoy Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is likely interested in psychology, personal development, and existential philosophy. They may also appreciate works such as The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, which explore the search for purpose amid life's trials.

4.5

843,102 ratings

87%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

Victor Frankl

The author and main character of the book, who chooses to remain in Nazi-occupied Austria with his parents and later stays to care for his patients in the camp, guided by his conscience and professional ethics.

Book Details
Pages

165

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Europe • 1940s

Publication Year

1946

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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