Books to light the way

New U Reads program finds the best

U of M president Bob Bruininks

Photo by Tom Foley

by Jason Sanford

From M, winter 2003

Ever wonder what books inspire the University's leading thinkers? The College of Continuing Education asked some of the University's top minds to pick the books that have had the most impact on their thinking. The result--U Reads.

Throughout 2003, the U Reads program will highlight 12 different books selected by faculty, staff, and student leaders. Monthly book groups are a possibility, so keep an eye on the U Reads Web site for upcoming activities.

Among the books in the program is Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy by Viktor E. Frankl, recommended by Bob Bruininks, president of the University of Minnesota.

Man's Search for Meaning ranks among the most influential works of psychiatric literature. The first half of the book is Frankl's personal account of imprisonment at Auschwitz and other concentration camps and his search for a reason to live. The second part of the book describes the psychotherapeutic method (logotherapy) that Frankl developed from his experiences. Since Freud, many psychiatrists have believed that sexual urges and a desire for pleasure are the driving force of human life, but Frankl disagrees and states that each human's deepest desire is for meaning and purpose.

Frankl's "central thesis is that what matters to all of us is the unending search for the core values and meaning of life and living, regardless of station or circumstances," Bruininks says. "I cannot envision a more important commitment that we can make to ourselves and to future generations."

Get more info about Man's Search for Meaning and the U Reads program, along with information on how to order a free U Reads poster and bookmark, at www.cce.umn.edu/ureads. You can also order books online from the University bookstore through a link on the U Reads Web site.

Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy is available at your local bookstore. Washington Square Press; ISBN #0671023373; $6.99 paperback.