In his long career, Irvin Yalom has been involved in exploring the lives of others. In his autobiography, "This Was Life? Then Again!: Memories of a Psychiatrist", which we have been waiting for some time, he turns his therapeutic gaze on himself, examines the relationships that shaped him, and outlines his pioneering work for which he became famous.

As the child of Russian-Jewish immigrants, Yalom grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Washington. Wanting to break free from its boundaries, he set out to become a doctor. His progress was impressive: Yalom shares with readers his start at Harvard Medical School, amidst the cultural ferment and turmoil of the 1960s, his turn to writing literary works to explore the human soul more deeply, and his evolution into a world-renowned author.

In his autobiography, we also follow Yalom's development of his groundbreaking approach to group psychotherapy and how he became the most important contemporary existential psychotherapist, drawing from the wisdom of great thinkers throughout history. We discover the inspiration behind his books, beloved by international readers, such as "Love's Executioner" and "When Nietzsche Wept," where the fusion of psychology and philosophy led to a new revelatory understanding of the human condition. Interweaving the stories of his most memorable patients with narratives of personal loves, readings, adventures, disappointments, family moments, and professional successes, the book "This Was Life? Then Again!: Memories of a Psychiatrist" opens a window into Yalom's family life, his scientific and therapeutic journey, and the writing of the books that established him.

In this, his final book, Yalom draws wisdom from a quote by Charles Dickens: "As I draw nearer to the end, the circle closes and I move ever closer to the beginning." He returns to the point from which he started and invites us to examine our own starting point, perhaps offering his greatest gift to readers.

For Greek readers, the book presents special interest: Yalom dedicates two chapters to Greece and describes in detail his visits to the country where most of his readers reside in the world.