Waking up Just in Time: A Therapist Shows How to use the Twelve Steps Approach to Life's Ups and Downs [Paperback]

Abraham J. Twerski (Author), Charles M. Schulz (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1995

Waking up Just in Time
A gentle and practical guide to the Twelve Steps way of life. Learn to:
Set Priorities and Manage Stress
Repace rationalization with honesty
Overcome obsession and triumph over failure
Explore the personal nature of spirituality

Alcoholics Anonymous has made famous its twelve steps to sobriety. In Waking Up Just in Time, Dr. Abraham J. Twerski shows how you can use the twelve steps to cope with any of life's difficulties, from dishonesty and intolerance of others to substance abuse. Dr. Twerski leads the way through AA's twelve steps toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

A few years ago, Dr. Twerski found that the Peanuts comics of Charles M. Shulz were helpful in his work with psychiatric patients. The humorous words and pictures in Peanuts gave patient and doctor a common ground for talking. Now Dr. Twerski again calls on Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends to help illustrate his points in their own inimitable way.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Abraham J. Twerski is a psychiatrist, an ordained rabbi, and founder and medical director of Gateway Rehibilitation Center in Pennsylvania.

Charles M. Schulz created the Peanuts comic strip in 1950. Since then, he has earned two Reuben Awards, six Emmys, two Peabodys, and the love of fans all over the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (March 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312132077
• ISBN-13: 978-0312132071
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for everyone who believes in the 12 step program!, March 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Waking up Just in Time: A Therapist Shows How to use the Twelve Steps Approach to Life's Ups and Downs (Paperback)

Rabbi Twerski gives a unique interpretation of 12 step programs
It doesn't matter if you're in AA, NA, OA, etc., this book shows you how to think about the 12 steps in a totally different and entertaining way
One of the best books - he continues to have incredible insight to addiction and recovery whatever your chemical substance of abuse may be
Thank you!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Peanuts© characters used to teach self-help, December 9, 2004

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Waking up Just in Time: A Therapist Shows How to use the Twelve Steps Approach to Life's Ups and Downs (Paperback)

The Peanuts© comic strip has long been a favorite of mine, but until I read this book, I had never considered the psychology of the characters. Nearly all of them have severe psychological complexes. Charlie Brown has no confidence in himself, dreads all of life and nothing ever seems to go right. Lucy is so insecure that she has to punch anyone who disagrees with her and Linus has his blanket.
In this book, Twerski uses some excerpts from the strip to demonstrate how to use a twelve- step program to take control of your life. The twelve steps are modeled from the famous twelve-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Twerski goes through the steps in sequence, explains what each entails and how to follow it, using one or more strips to demonstrate the point. This is an excellent approach to the construction of a self-help book. The cartoons are effective in emphasizing the points in ways that are very gentle. This lack of intensity is in sharp contrast to some other self-help books that figuratively stick it in your eye.
This book is a bit unusual, in that it is a self-help book with good advice that is just fun to read. I enjoyed it and recommend it to all people, whether or not they are in need of therapy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to Old Paths - tried & proven ways, July 19, 2008

By 

Pamela D. Nee (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Waking up Just in Time: A Therapist Shows How to use the Twelve Steps Approach to Life's Ups and Downs (Paperback)

I am almost finished reading this book and so far I have found it very practical and helpful. It is a simple book that helps us look at ways to improve who we are and enlists the help of friendly cartoon characters.