International Bestseller! Prisoners of Our Thoughts is included in the national Top-10 bestseller list for nonfiction books by EL PERIÓDICO, a national newspaper of Spain!

"This book offers great insights into how to take control of one's life, overcome destructive habits and how to create further opportunities for contentment and success in life. It's a classy work which helps find the true meaning of life. It further helps to choose one's reactions in these ever-changing work environments."
—Best Books, November 2005 (ICFAI University Press, Hyderabad, India)

"A unique combination of expertise and creativity. In an unique way, Dr. Pattakos translates logotherapy so that it is applicable to each and every facet and aspect of work. Yet his definition of the word, "working person," is broad enough to encompass every kind of activity, from the smallest to the largest, from voluntary work to the blue collar worker. The creative person is, at the same time, his or her own boss, leader of his own life. If one is unhappy with one's work life, it is thus not so much that we should wait for reforms from above--rather, every person can form and change her own life. Pattakos is willing to give concrete recipes and instructions. Yet this book is more than a self help book. Pattakos addresses the human capability for freedom and responsibility. With many case examples, Pattakos demonstrates how one can apply Viktor Frankl's principles in day-to-day life. And he does all of this in a very fine, beautiful and accessible language."
—Trend Magazine (leading Austrian magazine covering the topics of economics, politics and modern life), October 2005, Vienna, Austria (Translated from the German)

"A user-friendly version of all of Frankl's principles...While the book earned acclaim from CEOs and academics alike, Pattakos had no idea that he had just written a training primer to be used half a world away."
—T+D Magazine, August 2005 (regarding the use of Prisoners of Our Thoughts in Indonesia following the Asian Tsunami)

"Pattakos presents a seven-fold approach to finding meaning (telos) in one's work and life in general. The reader is given chances to reflect on his or her living experience and apply the principles accordingly to gain further insight. Noticing how specific challenges consistently surface again and again, we can look more closely at our internal situation in order to improve our external situation. According to Pattakos, each of us must answer to ourselves alone. It is not external circumstances but rather one's internal compass that ultimately determines our happiness."
—Shift: At the Frontiers of Consciousness, Institute of Noetic Sciences, June-August 2005

"One of the most provocative authors and smartest thinkers found on today's bookshelves."
—Worthwhile Magazine, May 2005

"The book is essayish, mixing the experiences of the author and Frankl with philosophy and practical workplace ideas, as well as exercises to help you incorporate the ideas in your own life. Whether you're familiar with Frankl or not, it can help add meaning--and passion--to your life."
—Canadian Government Executive Magazine, April/May 2005

"So many self-help books are lightweight, yet do not fly; this one, hefty with philosophy, soars."
—ForeWord Magazine, March/April 2005

"This is a great book--probably one of the best books on work life yet written."
—The Innovation Roadmap Magazine, April 2005

"In a time when our world is in need of accelerated means to help people listen to their spiritual unconsciousness, this book is a breath of life into the fulfillment of that need. A meaning-filled book for a meaning-needing time. A sleeping meaning-giant has been detected and awakened from its dormancy. The seeds of Viktor Frankl’s better world continue to unfold in this ground-breaking work as Pattakos takes the principles of logotherapy into the workplace in his effort to free us of being Prisoners of Our Thoughts."
—The International Forum for Logotherapy, Spring 2005

"Clearly written and well-structured, laced with ample quotations from Frankl. It tackles its philosophical and spiritual ideas in a practical way, with many examples from the working world."
—The Globe and Mail, January 12, 2005

"Pattakos encapsulates Frankl's therapeutic system in seven core principles. Each principle, in turn, is described in easy-to-understand terms and applied to various work situations so that the reader can relate personally to the maxim and learn when and how to use it."
—The DesMoines Register, December 20, 2004

"Pattakos uses anecdotes, exercises and practical tools to help readers find meaning at work and in their personal lives. In the final analysis, we are free to choose our responses to everything that happens in our lives, including those things that happen through our work. As one example, Pattakos discusses the popular workplace pastime, complaining. When we make complaining a habit, we make meaninglessness a habit. Before long, we are invested in our complaining so deeply that all opportunity to see our work experience as a rich part of our lives vanishes. . . . So, from now on, ask yourself why you complain and, what's the payoff from your complaining?"
—Orlando Sentinel, November 17, 2004

"Pattakos's is a humane approach that allows for purpose in even the most purposeless-seeming environments." 
—Publishers Weekly, November 15, 2004

"A book of rare depth, filled with insights and with, well, meaning. The book provides ways for dealing with even the most difficult times of all work situations, from CEOs contemplating a merger, to secretaries concerned with being downsized, to the unemployed, the soon-to-be-retired, the person who hates her co-workers, to the guy who struggles to get recognition from his boss."
—Government Training News, November 2004

"Ultimately, this book suggests, our self-absorption robs us of the meaning that is everywhere in our work and life. If Frankl got in touch with it under the most inhuman of circumstances, we can certainly do so now."
—HR Innovator, October 2004

"Telling us how to live life as a mission was Frankl's legacy to us. Alex Pattakos' gift is this book which clearly outlines Frankl's principles to help us find meaning in our life at work. For most of us, work is one of the dominating themes of our existence. Finding meaning in our work is a critical aspect of living life as a mission and this book is a powerful guide for the journey."
—Innovation Network Newsletter, October 25, 2004

NOTE: To read the many Customer Reviews of Prisoners of Our Thoughts on Amazon.com, go to: Amazon.com Customer Reviews.