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Presents:
The Epictetus Club by Jeff Traylor
The Epictetus Club by Jeff Traylor
The Epictetus Club: Lessons from the Walls is both an inspiring story and a
unique thinking skills teaching tool written by Jeff Traylor, a former prison
counselor and award-winning program developer. Set in the Ohio Penitentiary,
the book follows a group of inmates who meet weekly to study the teachings of
the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus, a former slave and prisoner who used
adversity to become wiser and more compassionate. The group is led by an
unforgettable lifer named Zeno, a former professional boxer who points out that
our greatest opponent is our own thinking. Zeno compares thinking skills to
boxing skills, and teaches the men the ABC’s of Inner Boxing and the Ten
Rounds to Self-Mastery. The reader sits in on life-changing group sessions
where the men discuss finding a sense of purpose, “knocking out” excuses,
turning adversity to benefit, converting entitlement to gratitude, identifying
consequences of actions and how others are affected, handling provocation,
dealing with stress, and many other key life lessons. The Epictetus Club is an
easily read 155-page paperback book divided into short chapters that
encourage reading and discussion. Popular in prisons and universities around
the country, the book is great for self-study or in a discussion group (discussion
guide available). A 270-page, 16-session cognitive skills course manual called
The Epictetus Self-Mastery Program is also available.
Praise for The Epictetus Club:
For further information, please contact the author, Jeff Traylor, here.
unique thinking skills teaching tool written by Jeff Traylor, a former prison
counselor and award-winning program developer. Set in the Ohio Penitentiary,
the book follows a group of inmates who meet weekly to study the teachings of
the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus, a former slave and prisoner who used
adversity to become wiser and more compassionate. The group is led by an
unforgettable lifer named Zeno, a former professional boxer who points out that
our greatest opponent is our own thinking. Zeno compares thinking skills to
boxing skills, and teaches the men the ABC’s of Inner Boxing and the Ten
Rounds to Self-Mastery. The reader sits in on life-changing group sessions
where the men discuss finding a sense of purpose, “knocking out” excuses,
turning adversity to benefit, converting entitlement to gratitude, identifying
consequences of actions and how others are affected, handling provocation,
dealing with stress, and many other key life lessons. The Epictetus Club is an
easily read 155-page paperback book divided into short chapters that
encourage reading and discussion. Popular in prisons and universities around
the country, the book is great for self-study or in a discussion group (discussion
guide available). A 270-page, 16-session cognitive skills course manual called
The Epictetus Self-Mastery Program is also available.
Praise for The Epictetus Club:
For further information, please contact the author, Jeff Traylor, here.
ISBN-10: 0-941467-09-0 ISBN-13: 978-0-941467-09-4 Snail mail: "The Epictetus Club" PO Box 741239 New Orleans, LA 70114 or email here |
Papillon Press
PO Box 741239
New Orleans, LA 70114
PO Box 741239
New Orleans, LA 70114
“This is my 40th year teaching, and I've never come across a book that my students praise as much as they do The Epictetus Club. Every student who has completed the book thinks it is one of the best books they have ever read. It carries many lessons that my students find invaluable.” – Robert Prout, Ph.D., Chairperson, Criminal Justice Dept., St. Cloud State University “These Epictetus Club discussion groups have just blossomed and the feedback from the inmates has been fantastic.” – Helene Kosher, Senior Librarian, California State Prison – Solano |