Notes/Feedback: The book is a memoir by the author, Viktor Frankl, and his harrowing journey through several Nazi death camps during World War 2. This is not a historical account of everything that happened, but rather his perspective as a psychiatrist. He describes some of the horrible situations he had witnessed, or personally gone through, at the camp and gives his thoughts into the human psyche to deal with it or give up. Why did so many people give up, while others persevered in these camps even though death seemed imminent? How can people still find something positive in those times? How did some seem to find purpose and meaning even in those moments? How can the same being (human) be capable of something so horrible as gassing hundreds of people at a time and also care for others. The author is credited as one of the founders of logotherapy which he discusses and later seems to use to help those who were freed from the camps. Keep in mind that the book is written in the mid 1940s which is reflected in some of the language used.
Recommendation: I am not sure to whom I would recommend this book. Overall it was a good read for me personally, but I would not necessarily recommend it to someone who might be having some heavier struggles, or mental health issues in life. Although it can be looked at as an inspiration to see how he persevered and succeeded, it can also be daunting to someone who might be struggling with less and is not able to dig their way out.
Notes/Feedback:
The book is a memoir by the author, Viktor Frankl, and his harrowing journey through several Nazi death camps during World War 2. This is not a historical account of everything that happened, but rather his perspective as a psychiatrist. He describes some of the horrible situations he had witnessed, or personally gone through, at the camp and gives his thoughts into the human psyche to deal with it or give up. Why did so many people give up, while others persevered in these camps even though death seemed imminent? How can people still find something positive in those times? How did some seem to find purpose and meaning even in those moments? How can the same being (human) be capable of something so horrible as gassing hundreds of people at a time and also care for others. The author is credited as one of the founders of logotherapy which he discusses and later seems to use to help those who were freed from the camps. Keep in mind that the book is written in the mid 1940s which is reflected in some of the language used.
Recommendation:
I am not sure to whom I would recommend this book. Overall it was a good read for me personally, but I would not necessarily recommend it to someone who might be having some heavier struggles, or mental health issues in life. Although it can be looked at as an inspiration to see how he persevered and succeeded, it can also be daunting to someone who might be struggling with less and is not able to dig their way out.