a book
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl · 2006 · 192 pages
In this work, a Viennese psychiatrist tells his grim experiences in a German concentration camp which led him to logotherapy, an existential method of psychiatry. This work has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 the author, a psychiatrist labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the stories of his many patients, he argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. His theory, known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos (meaning), holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
recommended by 91 people
sourced from public statements
Ryan Holiday
“I think that the thing that struck me most about um Man's Search for Meaning was he has this paragraph in the book where he says, you know, we ask what is the meaning of life and he says that's wrong life is asking us what meaning we are going to create with our actions”↗
Naval Ravikant
“[on Kindle]”↗
PewDiePie
“I feel like this book is a great tool to just help people and especially, maybe I'm over generalising here, but I feel like lots of millenials are struggling to find meaning. I suddenly feel better equipped for in case--I know that sounds a bit weird to say, but in case something really bad happens, I feel like I... from reading this book, I'm better equipped to know how to handle it. That's a bit naive to say, but I really think there are some important stuff in here.”
Alastair Humphreys
“This book is surprisingly cheerful and upbeat. It's slim but packed with wisdom that I often come back to. I really recommend you read it. #HolocaustMemorialDay”↗
Chris Williamson
“Frankl was a Jew held at Auschwitz by the Nazis, he lost his entire family and then spent the next few years trying to survive the concentration camps. He was also a psychiatrist so he used his time in the camp to observe the other captives and create a theory of human nature and motivation based on what he saw. The result is a harrowing, hopeful, insightful journey which is doubly satisfying as you get to hear the story AND his proposed psychological explanation for why these situations occurred within one book. A serious contrast effect occurs upon reading too. Non-Fiction 43”↗
Daniel Pink
“"7. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Frankl survived the unthinkable — and still found purpose. His lesson: we don’t get to choose our suffering, but we can choose our response. Read this book. It changes you."”↗
Tony Robbins
“Man’s Search for Meaning provides compelling examples of humanity’s perseverance through trying situations. This is another book that I’ve read dozens of times. It taught me that if you change the meaning, you change everything. Meaning equals emotion, and emotion equals life.”↗
Anthony Scaramucci
“"3 books to read before dying: Meditations, Marcus Aurelius Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl Learned Optimism, Martin Seligman"”↗
Bryan Johnson
“His basic point is no matter the conditions we surround ourselves in, we can author our life.”↗
Simon Sinek
“"@nielsvantilborg Single most important book you can read: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl"”↗
Brian Cox
“This book traces the beginnings of Frankl’s theory of logotherapy, an approach to psychotherapy drawn from his experiences as a concentration-camp inmate. Frankl was interested in why certain people survived the Holocaust emotionally and others didn’t. Out of this horrific incident Frankl wrote a totally groundbreaking book that’s been constantly republished for 40 or 50 years.”↗
Patrick Chovanec
“@JohnDelightChou Excellent book.”↗
Trevor Ncube
“@JealousTempo @ChadMhako @staffordmasie Great book”↗
Nathaniel Drew
“Finding Meaning & Purpose The following list of books have been particularly influential in shaping my perspective of the world, my sense of purpose and where I choose to place my focus & energy.”↗
Dustin Moskovitz
“1: Be Proactive Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl (cited in book) The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer and Diana Chapman (esp. commitment #1: Responsibility) Lead Yourself First by Kethledge/Erwin Leadership & Self Deception by Arbinger Institute”↗
Amanda Palmer
“@jennynirmala that book also changed my life.”↗
Nicholas C. Zakas
“Reading, “Man’s Search for Meaning.” I feel like this is one of those books everyone should read at some point. This paragraph in particular resonated with me.”↗
Joe Martin
“@ram00759595 Solid book”↗
Michael Gervais
“Outlines methods to discover deep meaning and purpose in life.”↗
Anne-Laure Le Cunff
“What are some books that truly changed the way you perceive the world? Here are some of mine.”↗
Cory Booker
“Many, from Malcolm X's Autobiography 2 Man's Search for Meaning RT @VarunAmbrose what were books that caused a paradigm shift in ur thinking”↗
Russell Roberts
“@WhiteClay9 Wonderful book. But very different.”↗
David Blaine
“One of my favorite books.”↗
Terry Crews
“Both books are absolutely essential to me in order to keep my perspectives correct in a changing world.”↗
Brian Moran
“@amyjccuddy I first read Frankl's book in high school. I've read it four more times since then and learned many new things about myself, life, and the universe each time. Imagine someone asking you, "Amy, what is the meaning of your life?" It's a powerful question once you know his story.”↗
Steve Kerr
“If you’re looking for a good book these days, read Viktor Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search For Meaning.’ Incredibly inspiring.”↗
Susan Suehr
“His book was so inspiring.”↗
Robin Black
“Everyone should read this book. It’s wonderful. One of the great books ever written exists because of one of the worst times in human history. From suffering comes beauty. Enjoy The Hostilities My…”↗
Drew Barrymore
“This book changed my life. Frankl, a psychologist and concentration-camp survivor, shows how we can find the higher meaning in everything, even in the most dire situations. He explains to the reader how to go about doing this, and he speaks with experience. This book defines inspiration.”↗
Mike Shellenberger
“@davidthekick Victor Frankl says that it's not pain that's the problem but pain without meaning that = suffering, and that meaning (ie having a goal) can make pain endurable. I wonder if you've read his book, Man's Search for Meaning? It's one of my favorites (and a classic).”↗
Jimmy Fallon
“Charles Dickens is my fav I guess. Man's Search For Meaning... has Lin Manuel written a book yet?”↗
Turia Pitt
“If people are doing a bit of soul searching, hands down I give them this book.”↗
Anand Chandrasekaran
“@alokgoyal1971 @U_pasana one of my favorite books 🙌”↗
Jillian Michaels
“I know how easy this is to say and how hard it is to do. Check out one of my favorite books "Man's Search For Meaning." It helped me with this tremendously.”↗
Sven Gatz
“An extraordinary book. About great evil and survival. About greater hope and humanity.”↗
Jordan Vogt-Roberts
“I’ve long been obsessed with Viktor Frankl’s MANS SEARCH FOR MEANING. I am in no way comparing covid-19 to the events covered in his book. However I do think the impact of this pandemic has isolated many of the elderly & essentially stripped them of their meaning. Catastrophic.”↗
Sandeep Maheshwari
“One of the best books I have ever read👍”↗
Charlie Bilello
“If you can only read one book this year, read this one. It will change the way you think about life...”↗
Aniela Gregorek
Søren Bjerg
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