Book Review: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

5 out of 5 Stars. Part I, Experiences in a Concentration Camp, was insightful and fascinating, but part II, Logotherapy in a Nutshell, was harder for me, the average person, to understand. Read part I for sure, and if you have the time and patience, try part II. Overall, I would recommend Man’s Search for Meaning to everyone because the overarching themes are universal.

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Important Quotes:

“Man can preserve a vestige of spiritual freedom, of independence of mind, even in such terrible conditions of psychic and physical stress.” (65)

“The sort of person the prisoner became was the result of an inner decision, and not the result of camp influences alone. Fundamentally, therefore, any man can, even under such circumstances, decide what shall become of him — mentally and spiritually.” (66)

“It is this spiritual freedom — which cannot be taken away — that makes life meaningful and purposeful.” (67)

“Emotion, which is suffering, ceases to be suffering as soon as we form a clear and precise picture of it.” (74)

“Suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” (113)

“Nietzsche’s words, “He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how,”…