This is a short 150 page book that describes concentration camp life and techniques the author had for survival. It's split into two books, the first part is about the camps which leaves the reader in no doubt about what the camps were like with many observations. It stops short of graphic individual recollections as the author felt this had been covered in many other works.
The second part of the book covers an anaysis technique called logotherapy - really the professional career of the author after the war. In this he tries to define man's search for meaning and applications to his patients (some people contemplating/attempting suicide, some unhappy with their lot and looking for some deeper meaning). If psychotherapy is lying on a couch while a professional tries to coax out your problems then logotherapy could be sitting up straight and maybe having to hear what you do not want to (a little flippant he admits but a good description).
Overall a good book, thought provoking and something to make us realise how reasonably lucky some of us are in today's world.
The final quote of the book is:
So, let us be alert - alert in a twofold state:
Since Auschwitz we know what man is capable of.
And since Hiroshima we know what is at stake.
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