More Reflections on the Meaning of Life

by David Friend (Editor)

This sequel to Reflections on the Meaning of Life addresses the question of why we exist. Juxtaposing photographs and text, the book uses images and words from a host of personalities including Michael Jackson, a Peruvian mystic, a Balinese dancer, Garrison Keillor and Sinead O'Connor.

Genres: Photography, Philosophy, Nonfiction

213 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1992

About the author

David Friend is an editor, author, and award-winning documentary producer with a career spanning journalism, photography, and film. Since 1998, he has been the editor of creative development at Vanity Fair, following his tenure as Life magazine’s director of photography. His work has shaped major journalistic projects, including the 2005 Vanity Fair story that revealed FBI insider Mark Felt as “Deep Throat,” the confidential Watergate source. He also played a key role in expanding Vanity Fair into books, e-books, television, and digital media, launching VanityFair.com.
As an author, Friend has explored cultural and historical themes in books such as Watching the World Change: The Stories Behind the Images of 9/11 (2006), The Naughty Nineties (2017), and two volumes on human existence, The Meaning of Life and More Reflections on the Meaning of Life. In the realm of documentary film, he is an Emmy- and Peabody-winning producer, with projects including Lakota Nation vs. United States (2023), MLK/FBI (2021), and the widely broadcast CBS prime-time special 9/11.
Beyond journalism and film, Friend has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and the Middle East, coedited 13 Vanity Fair books, and curated photography exhibitions on three continents. His poetry has been published in The New Yorker, further highlighting the breadth of his creative work.

Reviews

[Malvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is very interesting to see how people around the world, from different stages of life, professions, and religions, think about the meaning of life. Some are vigorous and hopeful. Some sullen and empty. Some are so into it. Some try to look at it from aside.

Great read for when you want to disconnect from the world and self reflect.