Customer Reviews

Stolen Hours: Breaking Free from Secret Addictions

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Stolen Hours" reads like a novel and is a fascinating, expertly written story of a real life, shared with total honesty.

Many readers readers will appreciate and identify with this intimate story of a baby boomer's life, from his childhood and high school years lived in a time when unpleasant family dynamics were hidden and many secrets were kept, through the challenges of young adulthood in the turbulent 60's and 70's. The author is painfully open and honest in sharing the mountains he has climbed throughout his life.

Readers will learn why some secrets are OK while others are unhealthy. Readers with unhealthy addictions and secrets will be encouraged by the author's experience of conquering each of his in its turn. They will find catharsis in this story of one who has grappled with and survived many challenges which they may identify with. Readers will also find practical help in overcoming and letting go of destructive secrets.

Readers without addictions or secrets will find a new awareness and understanding of those around them who are compelled to keep certain behaviors secret. This book is not only a valuable resource, but also a very enjoyable read.

Stolen Hours: Breaking Free From Secret Addictions a self-help guide for those people who chronically and habitually keep secrets, often to self-destructive or violent ends. Examining the nature of those who hide self-defeating behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse, compulsive gambling, sexual addiction, eating disorders, and much more, Stolen Hours presents ways in which to combat the cycle of hiding and indulging in and hiding harmful activities. Case studies, 8 mindsets common to secret-keepers, and years of the author's exeprience as an addiction counselor and recovery from chemical addiction mark Stolen Hours as compelling in its own right and a welcome addition to recovery, therapy, and self-help shelves.

Recovering from a secret and addictive life as a credit card abuser, and now a member of Debtor's Anonymous, I was interested in reading Stolen Hours to gain insight into my behaviors. I found Stolen Hours to be very much like an autobiographical novel, and a real page turner, as John Prin reveals his exciting and traumatic life journey.

However, throughout the book, John Prin adds the dimension of analyzing his many secrets, addictions, failures, and ultimate successes. Every few chapters he provides a summary of analysis and insights that really hits home in many areas. Anyone with significant secrets and the stolen hours they cause, will gain much information about their behaviors by reading this book. Even if you're not afflicted with significant secrets and addictions, this is a fascinating autobiography and a fast read!

This is a brave book by a brave writer. Prin digs deeply into his long and painful personal experience with addictive behaviors to offer a different angle on addiction, rooted in the concept of keeping secrets and stealing time to live in a secret world. Although he is coming from a decidedly Christian perspective, he does not let his Christianity overwhelm his message, but rather admits frankly that even after finding Christ he had many steps to go before overcoming his addictive personality.

An unusual combination of autobiography and self-help book, this can be a real page turner at its best. I am not personally familiar with other literature on addiction, but it seems that this would be very helpful in that context. To me, however, the most interesting aspect lies in the whole idea of telling one's personal stories. We all have interesting stories, but not all of us can organize and express those stories in a way that makes them compelling to others. Prin has clearly struggled with his stories as long as he has struggled with his addictions, and this book brings them together in a unique and intriguing form.

Very well written and unabashedly honest. Prin here seems to have taken the courageous steps necessary to set himself free from a cycle that appears to be enormously typical in our culture today. He's then taken the lessons he's learned, and through additional research, study and professional observations as a counselor, is now trying to help others avoid many of the painful events Prin himself went through.

A must read for someone who is looking for guidance and analysis concerning addictive behaviors and personalities from a 'whole' man perspective, which again, is so rare in today's environment.

When you read "Stolen Hours" you won't feel like any of your time was unfairly taken. The book rewards every minute you put into it. Prin has three things going for him: he offers fresh insights into recovery issues; he combines therapy with autobiography, making the book a real page turner; and he writes well. Read it with a friend in mind and you'll likely find that the material applies to yourself as much as the friend.

STOLEN HOURS relates a true story of one man's recovery and redemption. Even if you believe that you personally have "nothing to recover from"-which may or may not be the case, despite what you admit in your heart of hearts-STOLEN HOURS will ring true and be irresistible to put down. This book resonates with the reader from page one and surges ahead with truth, honesty and power. You may find you harbor more unhealthy secrets than you know. And STOLEN HOURS will help show you the way to break free of their hidden power.

STOLEN HOURS tells the autobiographical life journey of John Prin, Upper Midwest baby boomer: A man who is `normal', functional and `happy' on the outside, yet secretly enslaved by inner demons of drugs, alcohol, pornography and disillusionment within. It took Prin many decades to start freeing free himself from unhappiness, dysfunction and self-loathing; and I suspect the process continues to this day. Although his Christian faith played a strong role in guiding his path to enlightenment, his autobiography is definitely a page-turner... and will ring true... to all secret keepers, those of all faiths or no faith at all. STOLEN HOURS speaks to everyone, and resounds with new life and possibility. Read it now-it's a fast, compelling book that will have you responding, "Yes! And yes... and yes. Me too! And now I understand why". And then you the reader, like I, will be waiting eagerly for Prin's next book.

John's book is incredibly honest. I know about secret keeping because my husband's secrets destroyed our marriage. The sad thing was, many people wanted me to keep my husband's secrets to protect him while his sex addiction destroyed our marriage! Our society needs to learn that keeping other's secrets destroys families and marriages. It also makes it pretty impossible for the secret keeper to get well if everyone is protecting him from his bad behavior. In many cases it's even dangerous.

When I finally told, people got angry. It was reading John's book and his candidness that helped me know I did the right thing. I didn't give the book 5 stars because I'm waiting for his next book, the self-help book for changing the secret-keeping ways. Stolen Hours was wonderful but John's work is not done. I, for one am waiting for the five star book--it'll save a lot of families and change the course of a lot of therapy. Thanks John for this story and hurry up on the next one that you must write!

John has told all about his life and how he has kept secrets. This secret keeping he has called "Stolen Hours." A very honest book. John has told his life story along with all his personal weaknesses to wake the reader up to his own life and his own possible stolen hours. He has called my attention to my stolen hours (secrets) and made me aware of them so I can begin to honestly deal with them. A highly readable page turner on one level and a very helpful book on another deeper level. I recomment it highly

As an addiction therapist and recovering addict myself and the author of "Something for Nothing: Shoplifiting Addiction & Recovery" and "Biting The Hand That Feeds: The Employee Theft Epidemic," I found John Prin's book to be an extremely well-written tale of his own life that anybody should be able to relate to and benefit from. Mr. Prin has distilled the essence of all addictions and self-destructive behaviors to their very fuel: secret keeping. I would encourage anyone to read this book who needs to know the difference between healthy and unhealthy aspects of our private lives. Mr. Prin is onto something here!