Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning

By: Viktor E. Frankl

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Viktor Frankl is known to millions of listeners as a psychotherapist who has transcended his field in his search for answers to the ultimate questions of life, death, and suffering. Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning explores the sometimes unconscious basic human desire for inspiration or revelation and illustrates how life can offer profound meaning at every turn.

©2000 Viktor Frankl (P)2007 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"A truly important book." (Rabbi Harold Kushner)
"Brilliant! In this audiobook, we are privileged to share the richness of Frankl's experience and depth of his wisdom." (Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D.)
"A powerful psychological exploration of the religious quest. Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning is to be treasured by psychologists and theologians and by men and women who wrestle with ultimate questions and encounter God as often in the question as in the answer." (Michael Berenbaum)

A MUST READ / LISTEN

GREAT book a MUST read.
I know I will return to this book again and again.

Grab a dictionary

I really enjoyed this book. I had to keep a dictionary handy and a pen and paper so I could keep track of what he’s talking about. A lot of great points of

So relevant for our current meaning crisis

Offers answers for our culture's deepest dilemma, the nihilistic existential vacuum... self transcendence is possible Frankl convincingly proposes!

hard to follow

I am not a psychiatrist, so this was hard to keep up with the terms used. I was very impressed with his book "Man's Search for Meaning"

crap

the order of the words is wrong as if it was translated word by word from german to chineese then to sami and so to english. Very annoying.

Not what I expected...

This is a heavy bit of reading (listening) to deal with; it's very heavy on philosophy and religon. If you are looking for a "self-help" book, this is NOT it. I got through about an hour then called it quits.

Couldn't listen to for even 30 mins!

I hoped the book would get better but didn't. Unless your into psychology... then this book is t for you.

A Disappointing Quest for Meaning

Viktor E. Frankl's "Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning" is an underwhelming attempt at probing life's deepest questions. While Frankl's existentialist perspective on the human search for meaning has been influential, the book ultimately disappoints in its lack of coherence and depth.

One of the most problematic aspects of Frankl's work is his assertion that there is no objective meaning to life. This viewpoint is fundamentally antithetical to objectivism and the Aristotelian concept of the final cause. By arguing that each individual must create a subjective meaning for their life, Frankl essentially dismisses the possibility of a universal, objective purpose that guides human existence. This perspective is not only contrary to the philosophical underpinnings of objectivism and Aristotelian thought, but it also fails to offer a satisfying answer to the age-old question of life's meaning.

Furthermore, Frankl's claim of being an Auschwitz survivor has been called into question, casting doubt on the veracity of his personal experiences and the authenticity of his insights. If Frankl fabricated or exaggerated his experiences in the concentration camp, it would seriously undermine the credibility of his work and the relevance of his theories.

The book itself is a tedious read, often resembling a psychoanalytic word salad rather than a cohesive, enlightening exploration of human existence. The text is rife with jargon and convoluted explanations, making it difficult for the average reader to extract any meaningful insights. Many of the points covered in the book, such as the importance of self-transcendence and the role of suffering in finding meaning, are presented in a disjointed manner, further muddying Frankl's intended message.

In conclusion, "Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning" is a disappointing read that fails to deliver on its promise of providing profound insights into the human quest for meaning. Frankl's denial of an objective purpose to life and his questionable personal experiences detract from the book's credibility, while the convoluted writing style renders it a laborious and unsatisfying read. Readers in search of a compelling exploration of life's ultimate meaning would be better served by looking elsewhere.

a difficult listen for me personally

really a waste of time and $ but continued to listen hopeful for improvement. sadly it did not. perhaps because I have no psychology background?

Technical

Not what I was hoping for. when I purchased this book after a recommendation. Wouldn't have purchased if I had known the content.