Katie reviews~ A Man’s Search for Meaning

The 27th of January marks 77 years since the liberation of Auschwitz as well as Holocaust Memorial Day. The book a Man’s Search for Meaning is as current and as moving as ever. Written by Viktor E Frankl a survivor of Auschwitz and other concentration camps, the book is split into 2 parts. The first looks at his horrific experience as a prisoner of the concentration camps and highlights many of the harrowing events that took place on a day to day basis. All while Frankl finds hope in seeing his wife and children in the future. Sadly, once the camp is liberated, he finds he’s the only member of his family to have survived the war and the concentration camps.

The second part shares his life experiences post liberation and Frankl’s creation of a new form of psychology: Logotherapy. Logotherapy looks at the future, finding the positive in the world and looking for meaning in the future. This is different from many other psychological approaches which look retrospectively at experiences and how these have defined people. This approach to life truly opened my eyes after surviving the very worst of humanity Frankl is still able to find the good and meaning in the future.

This book shows that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how we deal with it. This is a beautifully moving book that has stayed with me ever since I first read it, I would strongly recommend this book to any reader as a must read. But a definite read for those interested in history, psychology, philosophy, self help and autobiographies.

To order a copy of this book please click here.