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Viktor Frankl: A Life Worth Living
When he was a teenager in Austria, Viktor Frankl began developing logotherapy, a revolutionary form of psychotherapy based on the belief that humanity’s primary motivational force is the search for meaning. Unlike most forms of psychotherapy, logotherapy encourages patients to look to the future and live their lives fully, rather than relive the past. Then something happened that put Frankl’s philosophies to the He and his wife and parents were sent to a concentration camp.
Frankl survived; his family did not. In his grief, Viktor turned to his work. The outcome was his magnum Man’s Search for Meaning, an account of life in the camps from the point of view not only of a survivor but a psychologist. The writing of this book saved Viktor in his darkest hour and was the beginning of a new start in what was to be a long and rewarding life. Man's Search for Meaning went on to become one of the most influential books of our time.
This thoroughly researched biography is a compelling account of one man’s struggles and, ultimately, his triumphant success in forging a life worth living. Author’s note, bibliography, end notes.
Frankl survived; his family did not. In his grief, Viktor turned to his work. The outcome was his magnum Man’s Search for Meaning, an account of life in the camps from the point of view not only of a survivor but a psychologist. The writing of this book saved Viktor in his darkest hour and was the beginning of a new start in what was to be a long and rewarding life. Man's Search for Meaning went on to become one of the most influential books of our time.
This thoroughly researched biography is a compelling account of one man’s struggles and, ultimately, his triumphant success in forging a life worth living. Author’s note, bibliography, end notes.
150 pages, Hardcover
First published December 18, 2006
About the author
Anna Redsand
4 books11 followersI’m a bit of a nerd, if it’s possible to be only a bit of one. At any rate, in my writing you’ll find some nerd candy. Also some sarcasm dished out drily but not too often. Most of the time you’ll see me striving for compassion. And honesty.
That last—honesty—is part of my cultural heritage. In the strong Dutch American immigrant culture of my upbringing, expression is all about pointedness. Or bluntness—take your pick. Layer on top of that my missionary parents who insisted on honesty to a fault. A former supervisor told me once that I was the most honest person she knew.
Then there’s another layer–being a stranger in a strange land—a white girl growing up from age three in the Navajo Nation. That taught me to observe before I engage when I find myself in a new situation. I am definitely a mixed bag.
People who grow up in a culture that’s different from the home culture are sometimes known as Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs). Restlessness is one of our qualities. So by the time I was 57, I had moved house 64 times, lived on three continents, in four countries, and 17 cities or communities. A few of the more interesting places I’ve settled into temporarily (always temporarily) are Copenhagen, Denmark; Kaitaia, New Zealand; Teec Nos Pos, Arizona; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Cuba, New Mexico. Now I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is by no means my favorite city. I give my restless feet their way by traveling as often as I can.
As for my work, I’ve been a teacher, a counselor, an operating room technician, a housecleaner, a researcher, a supermarket cashier, and a hospice worker. I’ve been practicing my true love, being a full-time writer, since 2010. I knew since I was eight years old that I was a writer, and it seems as if I've always been writing and learning about writing and sometimes teaching others about writing. I've had several essays published in literary journals and Viktor Frankl: A Life Worth Living–a biography of the Holocaust survivor and author of Man's Search for Meaning. The memoir of my spiritual journey, The Silver Cup: My Journey from Loss of Faith Through Exile and Beyond will be released by Terra Nova Books in October 2016. I've also written in my day jobs–innovative curriculum, grant proposals, and articles about education.
One of the best parts of my life is a person—my daughter Cheyenne. She’s just become a librarian, which I enjoy vicariously.
That last—honesty—is part of my cultural heritage. In the strong Dutch American immigrant culture of my upbringing, expression is all about pointedness. Or bluntness—take your pick. Layer on top of that my missionary parents who insisted on honesty to a fault. A former supervisor told me once that I was the most honest person she knew.
Then there’s another layer–being a stranger in a strange land—a white girl growing up from age three in the Navajo Nation. That taught me to observe before I engage when I find myself in a new situation. I am definitely a mixed bag.
People who grow up in a culture that’s different from the home culture are sometimes known as Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs). Restlessness is one of our qualities. So by the time I was 57, I had moved house 64 times, lived on three continents, in four countries, and 17 cities or communities. A few of the more interesting places I’ve settled into temporarily (always temporarily) are Copenhagen, Denmark; Kaitaia, New Zealand; Teec Nos Pos, Arizona; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Cuba, New Mexico. Now I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is by no means my favorite city. I give my restless feet their way by traveling as often as I can.
As for my work, I’ve been a teacher, a counselor, an operating room technician, a housecleaner, a researcher, a supermarket cashier, and a hospice worker. I’ve been practicing my true love, being a full-time writer, since 2010. I knew since I was eight years old that I was a writer, and it seems as if I've always been writing and learning about writing and sometimes teaching others about writing. I've had several essays published in literary journals and Viktor Frankl: A Life Worth Living–a biography of the Holocaust survivor and author of Man's Search for Meaning. The memoir of my spiritual journey, The Silver Cup: My Journey from Loss of Faith Through Exile and Beyond will be released by Terra Nova Books in October 2016. I've also written in my day jobs–innovative curriculum, grant proposals, and articles about education.
One of the best parts of my life is a person—my daughter Cheyenne. She’s just become a librarian, which I enjoy vicariously.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 2, 2017
Sjajna knjiga!
December 14, 2021
I had to read it for psychology class, I can honestly recommend it to anyone being lost in their life.
February 16, 2018
Unimaginable what happened to people like Viktor.
How he describes the psyche of humans in these situations is amazing.
How he describes the psyche of humans in these situations is amazing.
February 6, 2020
Simple yet informative about Frankl's life.
February 3, 2010
A lot of the information is the same as Viktor's autobiography, however the author of this biography includes much more information about the camps, and the rise of Hitler in pre-war Germany. A great accompaniment.
December 27, 2009
The writing in this book is evocative, and the story is compelling. Everyone should read this book!
February 14, 2013
Very profound and compelling. Was motivated to read after my son quoted from this book in a recent recitation.
Read
May 28, 2014its a good book..so brilliant about life
October 22, 2015
I loved the details and personality found in this quick deep read about a great man and his life of service
August 30, 2017
You do what you like even in prison?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews