Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (Hardcover)

~ AAWS (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It's more than a book. It's a way of life.

Alcoholics Anonymous-the Big Book-has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. First published in 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976, and now the fourth edition in 2001, the essential recovery text has remained unchanged while personal stories have been added to reflect the growing and diverse fellowship. The long-awaited fourth edition features 24 new personal stories of recovery.

Key features and benefits
· the most widely used resource for millions of individuals in recovery
· contains full, original text describing AA program
· updated with 24 new personal stories

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 meditation. **Sharing AA principles with others who want to stop drinking. AA members describe their program as spiritual not religious. No creed or ritual is required, and from the beginning AA has welcomed atheists and agnostics. At the same, members seek daily guidance from a Higher Power. That term is defined individually. For some members, it is the God of a church. Other members find their Higher Power in a friend, in nature, in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, in their AA group or any other source of outside help.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 575 pages
• Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services; 4th edition (February 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893007162
• ISBN-13: 978-1893007161
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,243 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A desire to stop drinking, readiness at the bottom and the application of these TENETS has kept me sober for over 31 years., August 16, 2006

By	Richard M. Lightcap (Palm Coast, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Have just ordered another copy of "The Big Book" as mine has about worn out. Alcoholics Anonymous - the book and program together have stood the test of time. Many tens of thousands of people have become sober long term by keeping the "Big Book" handy. Alcoholics Anonymous literally saved my life. It is a blueprint for living that could benefit anyone. The seriousness of Alcoholism can be identified as an insidious killer of person, family, friends, work reltionships and more. Keep the book around - it can work for you!!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God for this book, August 18, 2003

By	Utah Jim (Salt Lake City, UT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (Paperback)

I don't know what to say except that this book saved my life.

Thanks Bill.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alcoholics Anonymous: The story of how many thousands of men, August 30, 2000

By	Christina Taylor (Austin, Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (Paperback)

To all those would call this book out-dated I would like to say that it is not the language or grammar of a book that is important, it is the message. This book is not read solely for the purpose of entertainment. To those who call AA a cult I would like to apologize for the bad experiences that you seem to have had, AA is not designed to be forced on anyone, only GIVEN to those who want it. To those who have tried AA and not succeeded I know just how you feel, I have not had the best experiences with AA but just take a look around you sometime in a meeting or Birthday Meeting and see the happy faces of those who are recovering and the faces of the children who would not have had a parent were it not for this book and the orgainzation founded by it. AA does work but unfortunately not for everyone, people who would not have previously lived anything close to a normal life are LIVING and enjoying everything the world has to offer. If you are going to read this book for the purposes of review I encourage you to keep an open mind and take all into account, this book provides a style of living that will help an Alocoholic to live as if he were "normal" and LEARN to live period. We alcoholics through some malfunction never learned the secret to living happily. We do not sit and hope our shortcomings will go away, part of the program is being concious of these defects and working them out of your personality. How can something that encourages you to be a good person be so badly accepted? The answer is simply look closely at all good things in this world, you will find that once you begin to force them on others (ahem...Christianity) the message gets lost, perhaps we should go back to allowing people to find AA when THEY want to or when they should. Please people do not allow your bad experiences discourage someone who may really need the help that is provided in this book. Also, a note to add is that the book and the program are only tools, it is the person that makes the program work to its maximum efficiency.