Man's Search for Meaning
Score Classic
What it's about
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl survived Auschwitz and other Nazi camps, where his wife, parents and brother died. In the first part of this book he describes life in the camps; in the second he explains the lesson he drew from them: we can't always avoid suffering, but we can choose how we face it and find meaning in it. That idea became his school of therapy, logotherapy.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the most influential books of the 20th century, read by millions as a guide to living through hardship. It's short, clear and life-changing for many readers.
You'll love it if you liked
Night, If This Is a Man or When Breath Becomes Air
Good to know
It's under 200 pages and can be read in an evening. The camp memoir is the first half; the second is Frankl's psychological theory.
Quick answers
Is Man's Search for Meaning worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the most influential books of the 20th century, read by millions as a guide to living through hardship. It ranks #816 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Man's Search for Meaning about?
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl survived Auschwitz and other Nazi camps, where his wife, parents and brother died. In the first part of this book he describes life in the camps; in the second he explains the lesson he drew from them: we can't always avoid suffering, but we can choose how we face it and find meaning in it. That idea became his school of therapy, logotherapy.
How long does it take to read Man's Search for Meaning?
About 6 hours (240 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Man's Search for Meaning?
If you liked it, try Night by Elie Wiesel, If This Is a Man by Primo Levi or When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.
By the numbers
- Readers89 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller37 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Loved by readers.
Where it ranks
- #55 of the 119 science and ideas books we rank
- #251 of the 763 classics we rank
- #816 of the 2,819 books we rank
Reads as
Thought-provoking, True story
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A Short History of Nearly Everything