Product Description

Originally published in 1952, this classic book is used by A.A. members and groups around the world. It lays out the principles by which A.A. members recover and by which the fellowship functions. The basic text clarifies the Steps which constitute the A.A. way of life and the Traditions, by which A.A. maintains its unity.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6004 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-10
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

About the Author
American history includes many social movements that aimed to help people stop drinking. There was Prohibition, of course. But there was also the Anti-Saloon League, the American Temperance Society, the Washingtonian Temperance Society, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and more. Only one such movement survived -- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA not only survived, it spread across the world. Today, AA lists its membership at 2,160,013, with 100,766 groups in Africa, Asia, and Europe as well as North and South America. If ever there was evidence that sobriety can be mass-produced, it is in AA. AA began with the chance meeting of two people on May 12, 1935: Bill W., an alcoholic stockbroker from New York, and Bob S., an alcoholic surgeon in Akron, Ohio. Bill got sober through a set of principles that, he felt, had saved his life (ideas that later evolved into the Twelve Steps of AA). He shared those principles with Bob, who never took another drink after that day. Dr. Bob's "'dry date"' of June 10, 1935 is officially counted as AA's founding. Bill and Bob began working with other alcoholics, helping them achieve sobriety one at a time. And in 1939 the group published the book Alcoholics Anonymous to explain its Twelve Step program of recovery. Last year, sales of that book passed 20 million. Perhaps the best introduction to AA principles is the "'preamble"' traditionally read at the beginning of a group meeting: Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership' we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution' does not wish to engage in any controversy' neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. By focusing on that purpose, AA avoids the mistakes of temperance groups that took on a variety of political causes, splintered into factions, and died. "'Our focus has prevented us from straying into areas that we don't have experience in,"' says a member who works in AA's General Service Office. "'What we are is alcoholics helping other alcoholics. This has helped us maintain our unity."' Elaine McDowell, PhD, chairperson of AA's General Service Board, agrees "'the Fellowship's main reservoir of strength is its singleness of purpose. For 66 years the hand of AA has been there for the alcoholic. It works!"' AA members engage in a set of activities suggested by the Twelve Steps, such as: **Telling the truth -- that they are addicted and cannot stop drinking on their own. **Admitting and releasing resentments and fears. **Making amends to people they've harmed. **Engaging in prayer and

Customer Reviews

Never too late to learn and factor in our real A.A. history
My long experience as an active, recovered AA and as an unofficial A.A. historian is that you can fly into lots of flack when you mention Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in A.A. today. Some don't know what it is. Some won't read it. Some believe it conflicts with the Big Book. Some recognize that it was edited by two Jesuit priests, Father John C. Ford and Father Ed Dowling, and some will passionately espouse and/or defend the book as valuable to all AAs and those taking or teaching the Steps.
I think the best starting place is to learn our history.Real Twelve Step Fellowship History. This means learning where A.A. came from and what its Christian roots were. The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. It means learning what the original Akron A.A. program was.The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living that Works, The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible (Bridge Builders Edition). It means learning how much the original program was altered by Bill Wilson when he wrote the Big Book.Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots and Successes . It means knowing how many new people, new factors, and new approaches were introduced in the 1940's and early 1950's when: (a) Bill Wilson was deeply depressed. (b)Others such as Clarence Snyder, Sister Ignatia, Father Dowling, Richmond Walker, Father Ralph Pfau, Ed Webster, and others tried to fill the gap.Twelve Steps for You: Take the Twelve Steps with the Big Book, A.A. History, and the Good Book at Your Side. (c) How Dr. Bob dealt with the gap and uncertainty by fostering publication of the four AA of Akron pamphlets.Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book As a Youngster in Vermont.(d) What happened at the time that Anne Smith and Dr. Bob died and the General Service Conference were born.The First Nationwide Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference, 2d ed. (e) How, why, and by whom the Twelve and Twelve was written.
In short, we all need to learn our history before we start the rock throwing, opining, or embracing. And that's the best I can suggest for this book, other than that the readers take the time to learn our history and then decide on the importance, value, and message of the 12 x 12.

If you wonder why people hate AA, read this book.
Imagine for a moment that you have just started AA. Your sponsor hands you this book, telling you that it, together with the Big Book, is central to an understanding of AA's "Simple Program".

You start reading, and on page 26 you find the following statement: "AA does not demand that you believe anything. All of its 12 steps are but suggestions." What a relief! Guess those people who claim that AA is a cult don't know what they are talking about.

But wait.

Reading on, you reach pages 29-30, which address themselves to the "intellectually self-sufficient man or woman." Here, you learn that there are dire consequences for not following AA's "suggestions": "We saw that we had to reconsider (our intellectual self-sufficiency) or die." On pages 37-38 you are told that: "The philosophy of self-sufficiency is not paying off. Plainly enough, it is a bone-crushing juggernaut whose final achievement is ruin...we have been driven to AA, admitted defeat...and now want to make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to a Higher Power."

Amazing. In less than 20 pages, you have gone from "only suggestions" to "do it our way or die." And the message is pounded home repeatedly the further you read in the book. On page 56, you learn the fate of those who don't fully confess their sins: "Some people are unable to stay sober at all; others will relapse periodically until they really clean house...without a fearless admission of our defects to another human being we could not stay sober." On page 69 you are assured that "Rebellion may be fatal."

Would you stick around for more?

If you would, then nothing is preventing you from doing so.

But if you would not, how would you like it if all the treatment centers available had no other option? How would you like it if virtually ALL treatment for alcoholism in the US was based on THIS?

Well, lots of us don't like that. And those of you who wonder why really should read this book.

Great Book!
This is a must own book for anyone who is in recovery - one day at a time from alcoholism. Every house should own this as part of your library and reading a bit of it daily. Your healthy sobriety depends on it.

Sobriety seems very difficult at times, but it passes when you have your structure in place.

It is soooo worth it!

Merna

Pocket of Pearls: A 30-day pocket workbook to start hearing a softer voice inside of you!