Play Book Tag discussion

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian Psychiatrist, and a survivor of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz. His book includes descriptions of the conditions on the trains and in various concentration camps during WWII. These descriptions are hard to read, but perhaps no worse than some fiction books and movies I’ve encountered over the years. After living for weeks, months, or even years under terrible conditions, some men fought to stay alive, and maintained hope that they will soon be free. Others seemed to lose hope completely. They gave up or committed suicide (by running into the electric fence). Frankl began to try to figure out why some men declined in health faster than others, and why some sought suicide and other didn’t. He observed that some men with more intellectual careers or interests were able to keep themselves occupied with mental work, memories of loved ones, or a goal or purpose within the camp. He posited that having a sense of purpose – someone to get back to, something to look forward to, something to do, a goal, etc. – helped give men a reason to fight to stay alive.

As a doctor, Frankl had more opportunities to exercise a sense of purpose than many other men in the camp. He was given medical work to do (working with contagious patients that the German doctors wanted to avoid), and he was able to work on his own therapy theories and methods.

The later part of the book outlines his approach to therapy, which is future oriented (as opposed to Freud’s approach which tends to focus on the past). Frankl’s approach focuses on talking about purpose and future goals (which is similar to the approach used by many coaches today).

I was a little disappointed to learn that he had already developed his theory before entering the camps and observing behaviors that fit his theory. I suppose if his theory was about say, social-emotional support or meditation, his observations might have focused on those things.

I’m glad I finally read this book. It was interesting that many of the books I read this month had many similar concepts. Both fiction and non-fictions books dealt with the importance of purpose (especially Pillars of the Earth), meaning, loneliness, and connections.

How did you rate it, Nancy?

I loved this book when I read it back in my college days.

A lifetime favorite of mine. It’s more about how meaning making is at the center of resiliency. Which by the way was my dissertation topic, and this book was all over its conclusion.

I have not heard of this book. Wow, I love his thoughts based on your review. I am definitely adding this to my TBR.

Amy wrote: "A lifetime favorite of mine. It’s more about how meaning making is at the center of resiliency. Which by the way was my dissertation topic, and this book was all over its conclusion."

I'm fascinated Amy. At some point would love to discuss this with you.

Amy wrote: "A lifetime favorite of mine. It’s more about how meaning making is at the center of resiliency. Which by the way was my dissertation topic, and this book was all over its conclusion."

That sounds like a great dissertation topic!

Have you read the Upside of Stress? There is a lot of great content in it. I didn't finish the whole book in time to write a February review. There is a lot about resilience, perceptions, and maybe sense making or meaning making. I'll pick it up again later because it's so helpful. I may need to reread the section on aging several times over the next decade or so. If I ever again start thinking "my life is over" I'm going straight to this book.

I learned why I should never start a stress management seminar with all the health problems caused by stress.

Nancy! Just extended myself to you in another thread. Concerned about your current book stress. New term invented by the singing psychologist....

Amy wrote: "Nancy! Just extended myself to you in another thread. Concerned about your current book stress. New term invented by the singing psychologist...."

Book stress? What book stress? Adding new books is exciting, not stressful. (See my response about deadlines though, which are really stressful, I mean motivating.)

BTW Amy, when is complaining the same thing as bragging?