Recollections: An Autobiography

I stumbled across this book in Amazon and decided the price was right. It turned out to be one of those books that I didn’t want to end. Frankl’s life has been so full, both of tragedy and joy that it seems like he had an unending supply of personal vignettes. These contribute to his well explained psychological approach to life which gave him the tools used for survival. He obviously focuses more on the joy and personal experiences which makes him seem very real. The extensive supply of photos helped as well. His autobiography shows us much more of the man searching for meaning.

Viktor E. Frankl’s Recollections: An Autobiography was instantly engaging because of Frankl’s writing style, his honesty, and especially because of his attention to little details in life. Frankl’s simplistic and thorough explanations and revelations about logo therapy and his use of it makes this book, like his others, a captivating page turner.

The first thing to read about Viktor Frankl is his famous book, "Man's Search for Meaning," in which he tells of his experience as an Austrian Jew in Auschwitz during World War II. A man with a heroic nature, who gave inspiration to many in the concentration camps, Frankl carried his experience and philosophy on "the last freedom" out of Auschwitz and into the lives of many thousands of people. Unless one has read "Man's Search for Meaning", this autobiography may strike the reader as "So what?". But if you have read the famous one, the information provided here will all fit in place. At 133 pages, this autobiography is brief, and written in a relaxed conversation style. Some of what Frankl chooses to tell about himself is unaccountably mundane, but most of it is very worthwhile. It does have quite a few of those little details that you might be hoping to find, along with a good array of photographs. And if you want a clear summary of the philosophical and psychological influences on his life, you'll find that too. It gives an interesting glimpse into that world of German psychiatry and philosophy at the time that Freud was doing his work. In that context, one understands better the significance of Frankl's philosophy and psychiatric practice. Before the war, Frankl was already challenging his colleagues' tendency to see human nature as a bundle of psychology; he was saying that there is a real self in each person whose potentia need to be called upon to take responsibility for his/her challenges in life. After the war, that view got Frankl in trouble with a lot of people, because he refused to blame all Germans, or even all Nazis. In fact, Frankl's whole life experience and the message he shares is one of not blaming others for what has happened to you. Coming from an Auschwitz survivor who lived what he preached to the ultimate degree, it's a message that has helped many thousands of people.

Recollections provides rare insight into the emotions of a brilliant psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, during his imprisonment in some of Hitler's worst death camps. The power to choose one's attitude toward a given set of circumstances is paramount. The book is filled with personal anecdotes from the lives of historical figures in the history of psychology, like Adler and Freud, as well as discussing the roots of Frankl's own form of psychotherapy, Logotherapy, a therapy of meaning. Thoroughly readable and captivating while at the same time instructive. Should be helpful to anyone who is suffering.Elizabeth Skoglund, author of Divine Recycling

Dr. Frankl is still reaching people on a meaningful level even so many years after his death. May these words live on and provide hope for generations to come.

Man’s Search for Meaning is a must read for everyone and Frankl’s autobiography is the perfect “rest of the story”. Of course, it also contains further words of wisdom, as well.

hard to follow story, seemed disconnected with whatever the theme is

Viktor Frankl has lived a life that was squarely in the center of the storm. He saw the nightmare and had the gift of perspective to be able to relate it to others. Like "Man's Search for Meaning" this is a very easy book to read. There is no flowery prose - only content. Because of how bare bones the book is - the events described have more impact. The horrors of the concentration camps and the tragedies he faced are told in a very matter of fact, undramatic way. It is a must for people curious about evil and goodness in man.

If this book is as informative as previous books I have read from this author I'm sure I will enjoy it and learn a lot

Useful book.

Frankl speaks from his heart, always forthright, always honest. It is refreshing to read the words of someone who so selflessly cares about others and whose actions so admirably support his core beliefs about the potential in each and every one of us.

Si te gusta Viktor Frankl, te gustará descubrir más curiosidades de él con este libro. A mí me gustó mucho.

A nice flowing book by a greatly intelligent & greatly human man who has suffered greatly yet hasn't lost his humanity or sense of humor