I struggled with the introduction and chapter one of this book and really thought I would have to give up on it. However, I ploughed on and can only say how glad I am that I persevered.

I thought this would be a "self-help" book but it's really more anecdotes and stories told as examples of what gives life meaning from a scientific perspective. Each chapter on the "pillars of meaning" (belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence) goes into examples of studies conducted and how certain individuals found meaning through one of these pillars.

The author must have done an inordinate amount of research to have found so much evidence to illustrate her point of how important it is to find the meaning in life, rather than happiness as an individual which one could say is a timely lesson with the world being as it is at this moment.

Reviewed on my blog.

This is a thought provoking book which I found very interesting as I'm currently asking myself some of those philosophical questions such as "why are we here" etc. I am convinced of the appeal of finding "meaning" in life and turning my back on materialism. Definitely worth a read.

I enjoyed this book and thought it was very well written, researched and argued. Esfahani Smith avoids the pitfalls of many books in this genre that can see gross generalisations made and has heavily footnoted the work to back up her assertions. She is able to break down the complex work of academic writers, translate it into concepts that can be communicated well, and has also undertaken significant fieldwork to provide real-world examples of the issues being explored.

The only two criticisms I have of the book are that perhaps a more active voice directed at the reader throughout could be made - posing questions or asking how they feel about the examples in a chapter. Doing so would add to the value of the title as a tool for those in, or thinking about, therapy.

Secondly, the examples may not translate too well to the UK market - mainly down to cultural differences. There is a bit of a weaker self-starter culture here, and so perhaps some of the examples of people taking control of their lives may not resonate as strongly as motivating examples.

A side note for Kindle users - the book's about 1/3 footnotes, so don't be deterred when you look at the % progress bar at the bottom of the screen!

I was sent this book in return for an independent and honest review. A must have for any professional in the Health and Wellbeing field or for those just wanting to improve and find better meaning to their life. I liked the clearly divided chapters looking at different aspects, by considering what is important in a world full of stress and madness. It is well researched medically which for those who feel authenticity of a modality needs scientific back up. For me, although from a medical background accept that not everything spiritual/psychological can be proven this way. However this book also shows how mindfulness exercise can have a positive effect, even for those nearing the end of their lives and gives them peace. A very thought provoking and informative reference.

I saw this title and thought that I would give it a go. Unfortunately, it was not the right choice of book for me.

I'm sure that the subject will be welcomed by more open minded readers than me and those people will find fulfilment and satisfaction. The prose is well delivered and there is nothing much wrong with the book or how it is presented, it is just the subject matter that I could not engage with.

If it is your sort of thing, then I think you will not find much to criticise if you choose this book, but it did not work.for me.

Great book about a question we pretty much all have.This book draws on positive psychology with a twist. Recommended to all

I was given a free copy of this book by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
The search for meaning in our lives is not just for scholars and religious devotees. Emily Esfahani Smith has written this fascinating book studying the importance of finding meaning – based around the different pillars of meaning – in our lives. It is a wonderful mix of psychological and scientific research combined with insights into different religions as well as anecdotal evidence regarding the importance of finding meaning, and thoughts from great philosophers and writers.
The physical and psychological effects that finding meaning can have on a person are astounding. It raises many questions about how society could be improved and made happier if the lessons learned from this research could be widely implemented, as well as how the individual could take on board some of these insights. The anecdotal evidence is of ordinary people who have found meaning, often against all expectation. They are touching and identifiable.
This is a well-researched book and ultimately a profound and enjoyable read.

I am reviewing this via NetGalley. On first sight, readers could be expect a deeply philosophical, inaccessible treatise but it is certainly not that. It cites personal and research evidence of successful searches for the meaning of life. There are compelling personal stories as well as accessible summaries of relevant research. It is well written and offers persuasive reasons for considering the meaning of life in desperate circumstances as well as in ordinary daily life. It is well worth reading.

A worthwhile read that explores with stunning insight the transformative power of living a life meaningfully, and whether this should be the true pursuit in life rather than happiness.
Each "step" highlights the ways people find meaning and enrich their lives accordingly, even in the face of true hardship or tragedy. It doesn't list an a-z of what meaning is for everyone, more a guide to unearthing your own path to meaningfulness within your own circumstances. This book reminded me of the Stories of New York and Paul Kalinithi's When Breath Becomes Air, in that it uses both the authors experiences of searching for meaning and upbringing (which was a very enlightening piece on Sufism), and the lives and experiences of people she has met along her quest. This book is not religious but inevitably contains some spiritual and humanistic elements that I found uplifting and immensely thought provoking.

Emily Esfahani Smith: The Power of Meaning – Crafting a Life that Matters,
Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Rider Publishing, Pub date 12. January 2017, hardback, 9781846044649

There are such a vast amount of titles on happiness flooding the book market that one almost feels obliged to be happy or certainly a failure if you are not. What drew me to this book was the title. “The power of meaning” and its different approach in the field of positive psychology elevated this title from the rest of the pack, the emphasis lying on how to lead a meaningful life which is very different from being happy most of the time. Emily Esfahani Smith is a journalist with a philosophy degree from Dartmouth; she also has a master in positive psychology which gives her a perfect background.

When she describes in her opening chapter on growing up in a Sufi meeting house her parents ran in Montreal, one realizes how early in life the author was exposed to religion and philosophy and the big questions we all encounter: what values should I life by, how did the universe come to be, is there anything divine out there, what will bring me fulfillment in my life. During her research Esfahani Smith found purpose to be one of the most fundamental basics that lead to a meaningful life which made perfect sense to me. She chose narratives of ordinary people, interviewed professionals studying these topics to manifest her research which made this book so easy and inspiring to read while gaining knowledge on how to lead a richer, more satisfying life.
Four of the most fundamental pillars of leading a meaningful life according to her findings are belonging, purpose, storytelling (which was a big surprise to me but not anymore after I read the chapter) and transcendence.

Her work is very accessible, inspiring, thought provoking, thoroughly researched and full of insight for those who are on a path of discovery to a meaningful life. The book comes with my unreserved recommendation.