The Dark Night of Recovery: Conversations from the Bottom of the Bottle (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Well, what did you discover about the First Step?" said Tyler..." (more)
Key Phrases: most spiritual experience, Big Book, Great Pumpkin, Eleventh Step (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This compelling story of alcoholism provides an honest view of hitting bottomand the means to pull oneself back up.

About the Author

Edward Bear, a pseudonym, was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Los Angeles. Early experiences include a brief stint in minor league baseball, too many years in construction work, day labor, bartending, and a variety of dead-end jobs. He attended (sometimes very briefly) six colleges and received no degrees. A correspondence course in engineering landed him a job at Hewlett-Packard, where has been employed for 27 years. His major influences are Winnie the Pool, Eugene O'Neill, John Steinbeck, Meister Eckhart, T.S. Eliot, and Jacques Maritain, not necessarily in that order. He has published several fiction pieces in small literary magazines and a novel, Diamonds Are Trump.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: HCI (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558746536
• ISBN-13: 978-1558746534
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,356 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A roadmap for spiritual watershed, March 7, 2000

By	J. Michael Stevenson (Valhalla, NY) - See all my reviews

Although I have struggled with alcohol, other addictions, and depression for years, I had always previously burned through it (largely - my thanks to JTK, DSH, Electro, who I have called at 2AM) alone. I quit smoking cold turkey, and have been free some 2 years, though it took me five years of starts and stops before I could do those 2 years. Alcohol was the next drug, and I found it to be bigger than me.

This book has its basis on the AA 12 step program. I read it in four nights because I couldn't fit into three. The book is not about alcohol. It is about life, and how we fit into it, and although Mr. Bear may make suggestions, he largely allows the reader to draw his (her) own conclusions.

A note of caution, though: If you read this book, and I mean really read it, not just run your eyes over the assembled letters, you will face some difficult issues and make some hard discoveries about who you are. Is it worth it? You bet it is. There is only one person you go to bed with every night, and wake up to every morning: you. Might as well be the best you possible.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!, October 25, 1999

By A Customer

Just like the other reviews, I would NEVER have guessed this book would be such a joy. My friend gave me this book, because I was in deep despair and could not find peace. Her concern and prayer guided her to this book for me, and in turn she gave me a copy. At first I thought ... "oh boy, here we go -- ANOTHER book...yuck" I set it aside for 2 days, and finally cracked the book on a Saturday morning. You couldn't tear me away....and I found Peace. I found comfort, hope and love. I wish I could talk to Tyler!! And someday -- if I ever have 33 years of sobriety, I will STILL be giving this book to my friends!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Night of Recovery., January 31, 2000

By A Customer

This book is excellent for us overly intellectual alcoholics. I was just on the verge of discovering some of this on my own and WHAM there it was. I can't say enough about it.Divine intervention or what?