Reviews (69)

A thoughtful & powerful corporate guide for breaking free from old patterns of thought!
Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles at Work
A Sensible Path to Serenity
In Prisoners of Our Thoughts Alex Pattakos has taken Viktor Frankl's logotherapy into the 21st century. With this book Pattakos has distilled meaning centered therapy into its essentials and created a practical, therapeutic approach available to the layman struggling with today's challenging work environment.
Choice rather than rote thinking
"Prisoners of our Thoughts" is based on common sense, but common sense of an uncommon sort. Rather than meeting life with a monolithic sense of entitlement, Dr. Pattakos proposes an attitude of service. Find meaning for yourself in your life and take responsibility for choosing your attitudes. Dr. Pattakos' role model, Viktor Frankl, represents the most extreme and heroic example of choosing your attitude, as he did in the concentration camps of World War II. To paraphrase him, everything can be taken from you, except your ability to choose your attitude toward the situation you may find yourself in.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Life - General    3. Conduct of life    4. Frankl, Viktor Emil    5. Logotherapy    6. Meaning (Psychology)    7. Personal Growth - General    8. Psychotherapy    9. Self-Help    10. Self-Help / Personal Growth / General   

Reviews (4)

Some of the most important principles in my life
Some of the most important principles in my life can be found in Dr. Viktor Frankl's The Doctor and the Soul. Without them, I along with my efforts to do good in the world would be lost in cynicism and depression. The book is an answer to Ecclesiastes' refrain, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." The book is an answer of hope.
Existential concerns
Existential frustration results in neurotic symptoms.Logotherapy is a specific therapy.Life is a task.Logotherapy is education toward responsibility.Psychoanalysis regards neurosis as limitation. deneurotization of humanity
Frankl's logotherapy enables people to once again discover the quality of life.Frankl believes that the first two schools of Viennese psychotherapy (Freud and Adler), which he calls the depth psychology, must be complimented the logotherapy - the height psychology.His therapy explores man's future instead of his past.Summarizing the Freudian concept as the will to pleasure and the Adlerian concept as the will to power, Frankl points out that man's basic motivation in life is neither pleasure nor power.Each person lives to discover the meaning of life and thereby to fulfill it - the will to meaning.Life is too meaningful for man to comprehend: it is essentially incomprehensible because it lies on a higher realm than that of man's. During the World War 2, Frankl survived four concentration camps including Auschwitz.In the camps, most of the inmates despaired that if they did not survive the camp, there was no meaning in suffering.Frankl, on the other hand, believed that if there was no meaning in suffering, there was no point in surviving the camp.In other words, the meaning of life was either unconditional regardless of the situation one was facing, or it was none at all.In the camps, Frankl would console his inmates telling them, "Someone looks down on each of us in difficult hours ?a friend, a wife, somebody alive or dead ?and he would not expect us to disappoint him.He would hope to find us suffering proudly ?not miserably ?knowing how to die.? He would explain to them that it was not them asking the meaning of life.It was life asking them the meaning, and they had to answer to it.What Frankl witnessed in the camps contradicted Freud's theory that if people were left without food for few days, their wants would be reduced to the common desire for food.While some inmates behaved according to their instincts, as Freud predicted, there were also others who lived up to this challenge.Frankl witnessed people who gave away their last piece of bread and others who organized religious activities, which resulted in execution if they were caught. One of logotherapy's techniques to help people discover values is to have them imagine their lives from their deathbeds and look back on them.During such exercises people often find that their current definition of success differs significantly from that on their deathbeds.They realize that they do not wish they had made more money, had more sex.It is interesting to note that virtually everyone points to relationship as their most cherished value.They wish that they had spent more time with people they care about. Logotherapy bases its therapy on the fact that man is a self-transcendent being.Psychotherapy which views man as a self-contained being is bound to fail.Frankl's favourite analogy regarding this matter is the eye.The function of the eye is to transcend itself: healthy eye does not see itself.The more it self-transcends, the more it actualizes itself.Only when there is a problem, such as glaucoma, does it notice itself.Man actualizes himself in the same way.Self-actualization is possible only as a side-effect of self-transcendent.Man is most human when he is occupied with something other than himself - when he is serving others?needs.The best time to take a picture of man is when he is least conscious of himself.How unnatural the picture looks when he is told to say cheese, to notice himself. Man neither lives by himself nor for himself.Man who views himself as a self-contained being is bound to live in despair.If he were to weigh the suffering and joy in life, he will find that the suffering outweighs by far.Every approach to suicide prevention needs to be grounded on the irreducibility of the unique human phenomenons and the self-transcendent nature of man.Only then can he find the meaning in suffering and thereby meet the challenge.He then realizes that life expects something from him in every situation.This "mere?realization in itself may even put an end to suicidal thoughts.Painting green the leaves of a dying tree lasts only so long, while watering its roots naturally turns them green.Frankl warns us of the serious consequences of reductionism.And his logotherapy thoroughly deestablishes the reductionism in psychotherapy and reinstitutes the human realm in psychotherapy.Logotherapy has a significant contribution to make in our world where more and more people are seeking psychotherapy to address this human realm.Logotherapy, then, is a psychotherapy for the man in the street ?all of us. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Existentialism    2. Logotherapy    3. Psychoanalysis    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Editorial Review

Viktor Frankl, author of the smash bestseller Read more

Reviews (4)

I didn't get it

How Much Would You Pay...
for a book that could help you discover your purpose in life? Exactly.God is not dead and reading this book helped me realize it. For that alone it is priceless. You owe it to yourself to add it to your cart now.Read it carefully enough and it could have a profound influence on your life too.

Underline it and re-read it
Holocaust survivor Frankl earned the right to teach us how to transcend ourselves and find "ultimate meaning". He was a contemporary of Freud who was able to take Freud to task for naturalism and reductionism which "undermines and erodes the enthusiasm of youth". Frankl has a lot to tell us about how to avoid the neurotic train wreck many of us are headed for. He points out that an existential vacuum (meaninglessness and emptyness) is growing in our culture as man "Now, knowing neither what he must do nor what he should do, he sometimes does not even know what he basically wishes to do. Instead, he wishes to do what other people do-which is conformism-or he does what other people wish him to do-which is totalitarianism." Frankl tells us "Man is responsible for fulfilling the meaning of his life." He contends "man is not he who poses the question, What is the meaning of life? But he who is asked this question, for life itself poses it to him. And man has to answer to life by answering for life; he has to respond by being responsible;" and "Being human means being confronted continually with situations, each of which is at once a chance and a challenge, giving us a "chance" to fulfill ourselves by meeting the "challenge" to fulfill it's meaning.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Logotherapy    3. Movements - Psychoanalysis    4. Psychiatry and religion    5. Psychology    6. Psychology of Religion    7. Psychotherapy    8. Psychotherapy - General    9. Psychoanalysis & psychoanalytical theory    10. Religion   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (252)

One of the best you will ever read
This is an easy to read book, which managed to make profound points about life, pain, and fate.I enjoyed reading the first part of the book and learning about what it was like to be in such a hellish place (a concentration camp), and yet still being able to be positive about life.What more can I say than its an excellent book?

I learned: All the Auschwitz survivors, including the author, had something significant yet to do with their lives!
MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING
fascinating!
this is simply a must read for those interested in the human experience.Some of the positions concluded in this book may not be the only way to think on the issues involved, but still, this book is a great psychological workout with deep insights. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Jewish Holocaust Personal Narratives    3. Psychologists    4. Psychological aspects    5. Personal narratives    6. General    7. Jewish studies    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    9. The Holocaust    10. Biography/Autobiography    11. Austria    12. Psychological Movements    13. Biography    14. Frankl, Viktor Emil    15. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)   

Reviews (2)

An Excellent Elaboration On The Basic Concepts Of Logotherapy
As several other reviewer have already mentioned, "The Will To Meaning" is basically an elaboration on the section from "Man's Search For Meaning" called "Logotherapy In A Nutshell."If "Man's Search For Meaning" made any sort of impact on you, I would highly suggest reading this book.

Everyone should read at least one of Frankl's books
This book and Frankl's other popular book, "Man's search for meaning" offer a great deal of overlap. Yet I fond both extrememlty interesting and helpful. Frankl posits that we all have an innate tendencyto mental/spiritual health which he calls the will to meaning. This issimilar to the body's hedency to heal after any physical assault. Heexplains that good counselling focusses the will to meaning, or removesblocks which are preventing it from being expressed. Frankl's experiencesin a NAZI death camp show how focussing on personal meaning and what littlefreedom of choice one does have, can enable mental health to survive evenunder the most pathogenic of circumstances. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Logotherapy    3. Psychology    4. Psychology & Psychiatry / Mental Health    5. Western philosophy, from c 1900 -   

Reviews (10)

A Most Beautifully Written Book
I have been reading Dr. Viktor Frankl's books and papers since I was a graduate student, over 15-years ago. I was very pleased when I came across Dr. Graber's book, which is indeed a tribute to the legacy of Franklian Psychology. Dr. Graber writes beautifully and explains even the most complex concepts with such elegance that it is truly hard to put this book down once you start reading it. I highly recommend purchasing the second edition of the book, which contains additional information. This is a brilliant elucidation on the key concepts of Dr. Frankl's perennial work. Dr. Graber should be applauded for writing such a tremendous book.
NY Cop Doc Review
As a retired Uniform Psychologist, NYPD a Licensed Psychologist in private practice, and Adj. Associate Professor NYU: I strongly recommend Dr. Graber's book on Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy as one of the best books in the field of pastoral psychology. Dr. Graber moves the experienced clinician through a rich mine of clinical gems offered in her evocative clinical case examples. Gripping questions that clinicians have struggled with, but may have been afraid to ask are now answered with a frankness and original perspective hard to find in the real field of therapy. Difficult and pressing existential problems are brought into the light of meaning without apology. Bravo to Dr. Graber. Join me as a privileged reader of this wonderful and giving master therapist in action. It is a book I suggest any effective therapist regardless of training and traditional therapy can benefit by purchasing. I know I will recommend Dr. Graber's book to my students at NYU, and my police and public safety patients. It is one text you ought to have. It will become a classic in its field.
Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy
Dr. Graber not only presents a history of the birth of logotherapy, but demonstrates its symbiotic relationship with pastoral psychology and other interventions that acknowledge the role of the human spirit in healing. Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy gives a thorough overview of Franklian concepts and demonstrates their application in case scenarios. This enables the reader to realize the potential use of logtherapy in practice. In this time of global distress, the book serves as a wonderful introductory text of Frankl's meaning-centered approach to psychotherapy which is inclusive of the spiritual dimension - a balm for our troubled world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Logotherapy    2. Pastoral psychology    3. Psychology    4. Psychology of Religion    5. Psychotherapy - General    6. Religion   

Subjects:  1. Logotherapy    2. Methods    3. Paradoxical psychotherapy    4. Psychological theory    5. Psychology    6. Psychotherapy    7. Psychotherapy - General    8. Medicine: General Issues    9. Psychiatry    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy   

Reviews (1)

Deepening Insight into the Ultimate Search for Man's Meaning
This was a wonderful book.I highly recommend it immediately after you read Man's Search for Meaning.This is a continuation and extension of the Introduction to Logotherapy that comprises the second half of Man's Search for Meaning.This book is more academic and less personal, but still full of insight and humanity.Frankl touches on many different aspects of life and existential vacuums that we all face.Here are some of his remarks that I thought perticularly noteworthy and that will give you a feel for the overall nature of this work.
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Subjects:  1. Humanistic psychology    2. Logotherapy    3. Meaning (Psychology)    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy   

Reviews (1)

Sparked my interests
This book served as my introduction to the Logos therapy of Viktor Frankl. I was pleased to see Frankl's abstract theories put into practical application. The authors explaination of the existential void was concise.I highly recommend this book for any counselors, therapists, or othersinterested in mental health who realize that therapy is moving beyond thecouch and into the realm of advocacy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Existential psychotherapy    2. Existentialism    3. Family Psychotherapy    4. Frankl, Viktor Emil    5. Humanistic Psychology    6. Logotherapy    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    9. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    10. Counselling    11. Family & relationships    12. Philosophy & theory of psychology    13. Psychiatry   

Reviews (1)

The best kept secret in the Logotherapy literature
Guttman's book on Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy is mandatory reading for anyone interested in the field. I have read all of the Logotherapy literature available in the English language, and this text is invaluable in that it operationalizes Frankl's pioneering existential theories for the practicing therapist like no other book available. An indispensable work for any mental professional who wishes to incorporate Logotherapy into his/her way of helping others. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Logotherapy    2. Mental Health    3. Psychiatric Social Work    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Self-Help    8. Psychiatry   

Reviews (2)

SNAPSHOTS OF A LIFE
Viktor Frankl has presented us with snap shots of the key events in his life. These recollections were never intended for publication but through the encouragement of his publisher this slim volume was made available for readers. Thus begins our journey in looking at the life of the founder of Logotherapy and the author of "Man's Search for Meaning." The man behind Logotherapy
"Recollections" is episodic, much like sharing a cup of coffee with a casual acquaintance and trying to divine their life story from those conversations. Dr. Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" is a landmark book for many seekers--including me--and I jumped at the chanceto read this so-called autobiography of a giant in the field of diagnosingmodern society's malaise. The book is a pleasant read, with Dr. Frankl'shumor guiding the narrative. There's not much in the way of how Dr. Franklcoped with returning from concentration camps to find every member of hisfamily--including his young wife--dead. The late Dr. Frankl's narrative islight and episodic, like afternoon conversations instead of Freudiananalysis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Austria    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Frankl, Viktor Emil    7. Historical - Holocaust    8. Logotherapy    9. Psychoanalysts    10. Psychotherapists    11. Psychotherapy - General    12. Social Scientists & Psychologists    13. Biography: general    14. Psychotherapy    15. Psychology    16. Biography/Memoir   

Subjects:  1. Logotherapy    2. Psychology    3. Psychotherapy    4. Psychotherapy - General    5. Self-Help   

Reviews (2)

Overview of Philosophies
This book compares Frankl's teachings to many different psychologists and philosophers from Plato and Aristotle to BF Skinner, Carl Rogers, Freud, and many others who you may recognize. Each chapter compares and contrasts Frankl to different people. First good broad approach to a symbol
William Blair Gould�s (Univ. of Dubuque) book, in spite of its title, doesn�t fall in the widespread trap of evaluating Viktor Frankl only as a "hero" of psychotherapy, in the name of his well-known journey tothe undergrounds of world misery during World War II. His book is ananimated picture of Frankl�s influences, references and contacts with theworld of Philosophy, trying to show how it affected his view of Science andCulture. A picture well put into paper, pleasurable to read and - what is amust to most readers - short, very (sometimes too) concise. In eight shortchapters, Mr. Gould analyzes theconnexions and influences between Frankland other thinkers, such as: Freud (ch. I-II), Kant (III), James (IV),existentialism (V-VI), humanist psychology (VII). The book ends with abeautiful chapter, almost a "manifesto" (VIII), where Gould joinsFrankl�s voice for a renewed kind of psichology that bears attention tohuman beings, converting itself to a kind of supporting tool of humanfreedom. In short: well written book, good introductory reading about thethought of a very influential, insightful and constructive thinker of thiscentury. Rated only tree stars, because it sometimes depends all too havilyon second-hand sources, and because it�s more suggestive than deep. But ifyou want to start thinking about "...Frankl�s role as a philosopherand ... how his philosophy affects his theories and practice of meaninganalysis" (page vii), go ahead. Absolutely. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contributions in philosophy    2. Frankl, Viktor Emil    3. Humanistic Psychology    4. Humanistic psychotherapy    5. Logotherapy    6. Movements - Behaviorism    7. Psychoanalysis and philosophy    8. Psychology    9. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    10. Psychotherapy - General    11. Biography: general    12. Health systems & services   

Subjects:  1. Logotherapy    2. Psychology    3. Psychotherapy - General   

Subjects:  1. Logotherapy    2. Medicine and religion    3. Psychiatry and religion    4. Psychotherapy    5. Religion and psychology    6. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

Inspirational and thought-provoking
Dr. Frankl's book is divided into two parts.In the first part, he eloquently describes how he survived a Nazi concentration camp.He took this terrible "opportunity" to learn how people survive crises and deprivation and horror.This section will be valuable to anyone, and especially to those of us who have survived tragedy and trauma of any kind (in other words, just about anyone again).
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Philosophy    3. Psychology    4. Philosophy / General   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Judaism - General    3. Judaism and psychology    4. Logotherapy    5. Philosophy    6. Philosophy Of Judaism    7. Psychology    8. Psychology Of Religion    9. Psychotherapy - Counseling    10. Psychotherapy - General    11. Social Psychology    12. Counselling    13. Judaism    14. Non-Classifiable    15. Philosophy of religion    16. Social, group or collective psychology