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Man's Search for Meaning has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 psychiatrist Viktor Frankl 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, Frankl 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. Frankl's 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. In the decades since its first publication in 1959, Man's Search for Meaning has become a classic, with more than twelve million copies in print around the world. A 1991 Library of Congress survey that asked readers to name a "book that made a difference in your life" found Man's Search for Meaning among the ten most influential books in America. At once a memoir, a meditation, a treatise, and a history, it continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living.
(back cover)

Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl's renowned work, delves into the profound depths of human existence, exploring the resilience of the human spirit amidst unimaginable suffering.

Drawing from his harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, Frankl unveils the essence of his logotherapy, a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the inherent meaningfulness of life, even in the face of adversity.

Through poignant narratives and thought-provoking insights, Frankl elucidates the concept of the "existential vacuum," a state of emptiness and purposelessness that arises from a lack of meaning in one's life. He posits that the pursuit of meaning serves as the primary motivator for human behavior and that discovering meaning, even in the direst of circumstances, can transform suffering into an opportunity for personal growth and fulfillment.

Man's Search for Meaning transcends its historical context, offering timeless wisdom and guidance for navigating life's inevitable challenges. Frankl's profound exploration of the human spirit serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward resilience, personal responsibility, and the ability to find meaning in the chaos of life.