The author is Manfred Lütz, a bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist. His qualifications include studies in philosophy and theology, as well as his long-standing experience as a psychiatrist, giving him a unique perspective on the question of life's meaning.

Rome plays a central role in the book. Manfred Lütz, who has known and loved the city for decades, shows how Rome serves as a mirror of life's meaning. He argues that the city attracted the world's greatest artists because they could experience life's meaning in its purest form through art.

The main themes in 'Der Sinn des Lebens' include the search for life's meaning, nature's beauty as an expression of meaning, and Rome as a mirror of life's meaning. Lütz interweaves philosophy, theology, and art to reveal the beauty and deeper meaning of life.