Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book 4th Edition by AA Services Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book 4th Edition
Book Review: The Main Text of AA
Summary: 4 Stars
This book, originally titled "Alcoholics" by Anonymous, is the life saving text of Alcoholics Anonymous. So as not to confuse it with the name of the organization, AAs refer to it as "The Big Book" (one edition of this has 575 pages.) It was first published in 1939 and primarially written by an out-of-work salesman who had a "Spiritual Awakening." And it shows in the dated, flowery writing style and the rural American Christian theology spread throughout.But the message! If you are an alcoholic, as I am, you won't be able to put it down. The idea that we are not alone and there is an escape from alcoholism is amazing, life-saving, and even miraculous to those of us who have "been there." The Big Book is also useful to those trying to understand the alcoholic or addict in thier midst.
"Alcoholics Anonymous" outlines twelve suggested steps to recovery. The steps are designed to allow those in recovery to live lives free from the anger, resentments, depression, self-centeredness, and self-loathing that haunted us while living in our addictions. Critics of the book (and the organization) generally point to the spiritual aspects of the book and refer to it as a cult. Proponents of the book shake thier heads at these comments and beleive them to be extremist remarks from individiuals who are unwilling give up thier addictions.
Personally, I'd rather the particular religious beliefs of the author were not strongly stressed. And I'd rather he had found a ghost writer. But the book still stands as the most amazing and useful tool for addiction recovery ever presented to humanity.
Book Review: One for the Road
Summary: 5 Stars
I wonder what Bill W. would think if he knew his book made the top 100 spiritual books of the century? Hopefully pleased and grateful. I've been reading this book since 1987 and I'm amazed at how much it's changed since then! No, this 60 year-old text hasn't been revised since 1976, but *I* sure have. Whether you have a drinking problem or not, this text is the embodiment of ancient wisdom, personal integrity, and simple spirituality. I resented this book when I began reading it, largely because it spoke some truths I needed to hear. Once I stopped picking it apart and complaining about it and heard the message within, I realized what a treasure this book truly is. Much as I don't want to live my life according to any "plan" out of a book, a good deal of a life worth living is found here for me. Surely it has its drawbacks, still it remains in my personal top 100, maybe even top 5 greatest books. Perfectly imperfect this one is.
Edit: the 4th edition of "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published in 2001 with additional, current personal stories added and a few older ones deleted. The additional stories are intended to be more reflective of AA's current membership and experience. The first 164 pages remain untouched (which is fine for us old folks, but reportedly a turn-off for younger audiences who gag on the antiquated, sexist language and the chapter "To Wives". After all this time, it's now kind of amusing to attend AA meetings on this chapter. At first, I haaaated them.
Book Review: The book that saves lives
Summary: 5 Stars
This book works for people who want to stop drinking. the book talks about god but god as you know him it isn't about religon. this book saved my lifeBook Review: help
Summary: 5 Stars
What people do not realize is that this book is for people with serious addictions. It is not to be diciphered as a religous book, that people are brain washed into believing. To an alcoholic fighting this book is the same as fighting the facts of our problems. This book is not about anything but help. I am an alcoholic, and after hating A.A and this book I realized that all the nonsense was not important. All the intellectual stuff is not important. If any book gets five stars its this oneBook Review: This book saved my life!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was an alcoholic and a drug addict at a very early age. With very little hope of recovery I went to an A.A. meeting and was given this book. It saved my life.