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I bought this book as a Christmas gift. I read it many years ago and it had a profound affect on me concerning humanity, love and crisis. It's a book everybody should read once in their life. It is truly life changing.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This dark part in our history as humans should be MANDATORY READING for high school and/or college students.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
We all search for meaning in our lives, it's a built in human feeling that we all have no matter our background, religion or social status. Unfortunately in our modern world, because of its fast pace and stress on "making it" we tend to forget or are just "too busy" to think what really counts in our lives. The author, a Psychiatrist (and at first a colleague of Freud) and a Shoa survivor was able during his time in a concentration camp able to observe how people reacted in a most deprived physical surrounding. WHo were the people most likely to survive, and who died with meaning. He found out the answer and this book was a result of his discovery. It's not easy reading, you have to really THINK when you read this book. It may change your life and perspective of reality, but the reward will be eternal! I highly recommend it. It should be a must reading in every school and university.Read full review
This novel used to be part of the Theology curriculum at my school but as an English teacher, somehow it ended up in my course of study. I highly recommend that this be read at the high school or college level. Frankl's position is that man does not seek pleasure above all else as Freud believed, or power, as Adler believed, but meaning. Life needs to hold a purpose. When life lacks meaning, and people find themselves without meaningful relationships or goals, they may experience what Frankl refers to as the "existential vacuum" -- a condition that he applies to excessive drug use and suicide. This novel, following Frankl's experiences in a concentration camp, was originally written in 1959, but definately applies to our world today. Frankl's "meaning" in the camp essentially became the creation of this novel. The importance of Frankl surviving, and eventually writing this book is what provided his meaning. While in the camps, however, Frankl also studied the resilience or despair of his campmates, analyzing why some survive and others give up. The book provides a fascinating study of the human body and mind's ability to withstand extreme conditions. Personally, it provided me with a strong sense of security, assurance, and hope in the event that I find myself in such severe conditions; however, the tenets of "logotherapy" which Frankl discusses in more detail toward the end of the book, are ideas that I find myself returning to and applying to everyday stressors as well. Although many of my high school students found some of Frankl's ideas and terminology a bit difficult, most have confirmed that this novel was the most significantly valuable part of the course I taught.Read full review
This is a fast and easy read, not too long, but the lessons you get from this book can last a lifetime. One of the most inspiring and deeply meaningful books I've ever read. A triumph of the human spirit! Dr. Viktor Frankl's message may be critically important to many of us in the future, should any of us have to face trauma and brutality at the hands of others. A tool for healing and regeneration of the spirit. There are bad people in the world, or good people acting badly. But humanity redeems itself in the lives and actions of people like Frankl. My favorite part of this book is where Frankl is interviewing a dying woman, and she tells him that she is having a dialogue with the tree, outside the window. Thinking that she is delusional, he asked her what the tree is saying. She responds: "I am life, everlasting. I am here, I am with you" (paraphrased). I would also recommend Corrie Ten Boom's 'The Hiding Place', and 'In My Hands', by Opdyke. All are fascinating books and deeply enriching to the soul!Read full review
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