Reviews (3)

Glad to see this book is back in print.
Best available book so far, to help you start a support group in your area for adults with ADD. Based on the Twelve Steps of AA, this book adapts those steps to address typical ADD issues. Offers detailed guidance for each step, and includes suggested readings and topics for your group meeting.The appendix includes a copy of AA's Twelve Traditions.
Faith-Based
It would be nice if the Amazon website made some reference to the fact that this book takes an approach that is fundamentally faith-based (religious).

This book provides both the hope and the tools.
I'm in a step study group using this book as our main text. It is powerful, simple, straight ahead, informative and encouraging.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Parenting - Hyperactivity    3. Psychopathology - General    4. Recovery    5. Self-Help    6. Twelve-Step Programs   

Subjects:  1. Devotional    2. General    3. Recovery    4. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    5. Religion - Prayer & Spirituality    6. Self-Help    7. Serenity prayer    8. Spirituality - General    9. Twelve-Step Programs    10. Christian worship    11. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

Reviews (3)

Hey! I'm the Author!
I never reveal exactly which 12 Step Recovery fellowship I frequent--that would be oh-so-against the Traditions. Rest assured, I was qualified to write this book when I did. Still am. I'm a big fan of Twelve Step Recovery and don't bother debating the scientific validity of claims that it works. It works for those who work it.It seems to work even for those who don't. Sobriety for real life
The "big book" of Alcoholics Anonymous is the foundation for the start of our journey in sobriety, yet it leaves out the day-to-day struggles we face as recovering alcoholics. Staying Sober discuses real issues and real solutions with a sense of humor. Questions on AA, sponsorship and the 12 steps of the program are answered. More important are the tips to not picking up that first drink. The Author has written the "cliff notes" of sobriety. This is a must have for anyone in the program.

Humane
I was searching for tools to assist me in my quest for soberity.This book contains down to earth basic facts.It's one thing to read the steps in "The Big Book" & another to understand just what they're getting at!This book has humor, practical advice & it explains in detail what these different steps are.Why they are important & why they are arranged in this order.This book has helped me to feel more solid & actually excited about my journey to recovery.This is a tool I will refer back to again.I liked some of the silly parts too.Options you have, things you can do when that self destructive urge hits. The author struck me as being very humane; knowledgeable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholics Anonymous    3. Case studies    4. Rehabilitation    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    7. Twelve-Step Programs    8. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    9. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (3)

Good history of AA and the recovery "industry"
This book is well researched (including interviews with the widow of Bill W, co-founder of AA) and well written.It gives an honest history of the origins of AA without the trappings of saintliness often given to Bill Wilson from the works published by the AA general services office and some other sources.For examples, Bill's infidelities, neglecting family responsibilities to help fellow drunks, and "post-sobriety" experiments with LSD and other chemicals are mentioned.The history sections on AA are excellent as a result of this objectivity.The author also gives an excellent account of typical experience in in-patient rehab. The best of my 28 years in sobriety
Nan Robertson's book is the most accurate I have ever read concerning Alcoholics Anonymous. She is devoted to AA, but more so to her research and her honest in writing. If I had to read one book concerning AA, this would be the one. Robert F. Hale

The complete story
Ms. Robertson's book is a comprehensive review of Alcoholics Anonymous and it's co-founder Bill Wilson. She gives a surprisingly objective history of Bill W.'s life, his joining with Bob Smith, the other co-founder of AA, and AA's evolution into, perhaps, the most sigificant spiritual program of the 20th century. The only negative aspect of the book is Ms. Robertson's compromising of the 12th Tradition of AA which is maintaining personal anonimity in press, radio and films. I strongly urge anyone in recovery from substance dependence as well as mental health professionals to read this book for greater knowledge of the famous founder of AA. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Self-Help    2. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    3. Twelve-Step Programs    4. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholics Anonymous    3. Biblical teaching    4. History    5. Personal Growth - Success    6. Recovering alcoholics    7. Rehabilitation    8. Religious life    9. Self-Help    10. Spiritual    11. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    12. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    13. Twelve-Step Programs    14. Alcoholism   

Reviews (3)

I AM NOW A NON-SMOKER
I bought this book 16 years ago, after being in A.A. for one year.I stopped smoking the day I started reading it.It is great motivational reading.That book, along with a subliminal tape to quit smoking helped me finally kick the habit.I am forever grateful for the courage and strength to quit. This book is AWESOME!!!Keep an open mind and take it One Day at a Time!I lended this book to someone a year after I quit and it was never returned to me because, sadly, that person died shortly after with cancer.I am buying it again to give to someone who is ready.Good Luck...this book will help!

If only I could not have bought this book.
I recieved this book in the mail yesterday, and today it is ripped up and sitting my kitchen garbage can where it belongs. I didn't even want to take it to the used book store and get a couple of bucks for it because I did not want someone else to waste thier money on it. The index is very decieving. It appears that the author is going to cover all of these topics, but all she did was compile a bunch of peoples stories about their struggles with cigarettes and put them all togother and call it a book. The stories are pretty lame too,at least the ones I read. Admittedly, I did not read the entire book-my urge to put this trash where it belonged was too strong. If I had as much distaste for cigarettes as I have for this book I would never smoke again. This review is my last bit of closure and now I can get on with my life.

Great Motivational Material
I read this book when I quit smoking and it helped me so much.It is written by someone with an AA background and is written in that kind of a format.Each day for the first few months is a story about someone's struggle with smoking.Then there is a short devotional.I would read a chapter each night before I went to sleep.Somehow that really reinforced my resolve not to smoke for one more day.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cigarette smokers    2. Prevention    3. Psychological aspects    4. Recovery    5. Self-Help    6. Smoking    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Smoking    8. Tobacco habit    9. Tobacco use    10. Twelve-Step Programs    11. United States    12. Giving up smoking    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (5)

Steps to Resilence in Chronic Illness
Chronic illness affects a significant minority. Figures for the United States on chronic pain, for example, show that at least one American in ten suffers from chronic pain with its considerable impacts on employment, social participation, finance and intimate relationships.
I finally found joy!!!
I am a chronic pain support group facilitator for the ACPA and I have spent months writing my own curriculum to use with my group.This summer I bought Chronic Illness and the Twelve Steps and was amazed at how well the author had grasped the most important aspect of living with chronic pain--Acceptance.Martha Cleveland in her own struggle to live life to the fullest has been able to tell others her secret in this easy to read, motivating book.I thought I knew everything there was to know about living in pain but after reading her book I realized that she has given me so much insight as to how to live even better.Who ever your higher power may be this book is a must for anyone who suffers with pain or cares for someone who is ill or in pain.I am so happy that I happen to stumble upon Martha Cleveland's book as it has given me a hope that I never knew I could have.

Excellent book - very helpful
I loved this book. I have had a chronic illness for most of Read more

Subjects:  1. Chronic diseases    2. Diseases - General    3. Psychological aspects    4. Self-Help    5. Twelve-Step Programs    6. Complementary Medicine    7. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    8. Social, group or collective psychology   

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Pentecostalism    3. Church renewal    4. Devotional    5. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    6. Religious aspects    7. Self-Help    8. Self-Help / Recovery    9. Self-Help / Twelve-Step Programs    10. Spiritual    11. Spiritual life    12. Twelve-step programs    13. Christian Life    14. Christian spirituality    15. Coping with personal problems    16. Recovery    17. Spirituality   

Reviews (17)

The book is truthful without lingering on the rough spots.
The author went to work for Bill W's widow.Eventually this book resulted, after both were dead.
As I see It
This is an amazing bio of Bill W.
Hartigan's treatment of the Wilson story
Of late, I have been doing a lot of research work and writing on the differences in religious views, religious background, and religious influences on A.A. co-founders Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. In that connection, I have found myself turning more and more to Francis Hartigan's account and quoting portions of it in various contexts. The Bill Wilson story itself has been hacked around in so many ways, many of them inaccurate, that I look for the tidbits that show the author's real familiarity and lack thereof with the subject at hand. In Hartigan's case, I found his recital of the "spiritual experience" by Bill's grandfather, Hartigan's details on Lois Wilson, and Hartigan's accurate observations on Bill's decision for Christ at the Calvary Rescue Mission to be most refreshing and quotable. Among the plethora of recent books on Bill's life, I believe this Hartigan biography and the Bill W. Autobiography from the "Bedford Papers" as reported by Hazelden to be two important resources for learning A.A.'s historical, spiritual background. Dick B. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Philosophers    5. Specific Groups - Special Needs    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    7. Twelve-Step Programs   

Reviews (8)

A Good Book... Not A Great Book
Where do you turn when addiction causes your life to spiral out of control; when misconnections impair healthy connections; when self-gratification leads to dehumanizing other people?Don't look for psychological theories, cultural excuses, or self-focused victimhood.Ron J's uncompromising answer only makes sense for those who acknowledge Christ: "If you are a believer, have you invited Christ into your temptation and why not?"
The Real Deal
If anyone is seriously desiring sobriety in any 12 Step program and isn't making significant progress, then this heartfelt book is a must read. The challenging aspects of life are brought into focus by asking the tough questions. IS GOD really in your life or are you purely religious?? Religon doesn't work for the recovery that I long for and facing the question about GOD in my daily life is the only answer. That means I can't call upon him just in my morning and evening prayer time, but have God as a prsence in every moment.

Some Tidbits About "Impossible Joy"
For those who don't know, Ron J is a pseudonym for the actual author, Roy K. He is the founder of Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), a 12-step program of recovery for people addicted to lust. Roy wrote this book in 1999 when he had 23 years of SA sobriety. The book is heavily oriented for Christians/Catholics and is not really appropriate for the generic, 12-step, "God as we understand Him" crowd. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Faith    3. Psychology    4. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    5. Recovery    6. Religion / Christianity    7. Self-Help / Twelve-Step Programs    8. Sex addiction    9. Twelve-step programs   

Editorial Review

When Sister Molly Monahan, a Roman Catholic nun, came to AlcoholicsAnonymous she expected to find sobriety. What she hadn't counted on was findinga more meaningful relationship with God than she had ever experienced in herreligious order. "What could AA teach me about spirituality?" she asks. "Goingto meetings did not feel like going to church, or going on a retreat, or sittingat the feet of some guru in pursuit of lofty spiritual goals. It felt like todefeat to me, as it does to most."Read more

Reviews (4)

Spiritualityin Twelve Steps
This is a book for anyone who wants a better life -- spriritual or not. Live Molly's journey through each of the twelve steps with real people confronting real demons supported by real angels. In my prayer group, we use this book as a study guide to challenge us on our personal faith journey. Who are my angels? What demons do I have to overcome? Who helps me? Who do I forgive? More than meets the eye
This book presents a cogent and insightful analysis of the spirituality of AA. However, it does far more. There is something valuable and helpful in the book for anyone interested in spirituality-- insights about forgiveness, thanksgiving, gratitude, humility,peace of mind and freedom. Monahan's breadth of vision is not surprising, since she believes that all of us, at some time in our lives, are powerless over something, that alcholism stands for our human condition in its sad, lost and sorry state, and that AA can show us what God has in mind for everyone in community, love, and service. In particular, Monahan uncovers within the Twelve Steps the ancient threefold way of the spiritual life-- purgative, illuminative and unitive. While providing the reader with a better understanding of alcoholism as a threefold disease --physical, mental and spiritual -- Monahan offers deep insights into the relationship between the 12 step program and one's search for God.

Simple, Straightforward Story of Sobriety & Faith
Sister Molly Monahan is a member of AA who honors its traditions and so writes under a pen name.She does not write as an spokesperson for AA, but what she hands on is its essential and impolrtant message along with some sense of what is it like to follow its program and take part in its fellowship and meetings.In passing she explains also a lot of its slogans that are called clich�s but are in reality informal shorthand for big chunks of wisdom that are foundations for recovery and sobriety.People expecting an unusual story because she is a nun might be disappointed; alcoholism afflicts nuns and priests pretty much like every other kind of person, and their decline and recovery are remarkably like anyone else's.But she hands on what got and keeps her sober and it is a message worth repeating.Only at the end of the book does she touch on her Christan beliefs in any depth to show how AA has helped her come to a deeper appreciation of different elements of her faith. She has found, she says, in AA the link between the experience of being saved from her alcoholism by faith in a loving God and the truths and practices of the Catholic religious tradition.That is something she does not push on other AA's, but Christians in the program might be especially interested in that section. A good message plainly and clearly put. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcohol Abuse    2. Alcoholics    3. Alcoholics Anonymous    4. Catholic Church    5. Christian Life    6. Christianity - Christian Life - General    7. Psychopathology - Addiction    8. Religion    9. Religious aspects    10. Religious life    11. Self-Help    12. Spiritual life    13. Spirituality - General    14. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    15. Twelve step programs    16. Twelve-Step Programs   

Reviews (2)

Provides Insight
"All is not as it appears to be," is an adage discussed in the early portion of this book. We're told that thoughts deceive us all the time. One of the purposes of this book is to think deeper thoughts and grow beyond the facade. Risk makes one vulerable, but it is rewarding in that as it is taken, the potential gains are worth the effort. The only real losers are those who refuse to take risks. This book changed my life.
I can not explain completely but this book changed my life. After reading the book fully and then rereading it to apply to my life it changed how I viewed many things in my life. It allowed me to see things differently and then to react to things differently and find more successful ways in dealing with people events etc in my life. I stopped blaming everything on everyone else and took responsibility for how I look and reacted to things. That gave me strength to deal proactive and stop being a martyr to everything. I became an active maker in my life instead of letting everything else effect me. It was the right thing to come into my life at the right time. How I found it in the wrong section of the book store and how I happen to pick it up I will never know. But I am still very grateful. Read more

Subjects:  1. Inspiration & Personal Growth    2. New Age (Self Help)    3. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    4. New Age / Parapsychology    5. Personal Growth - Success    6. Psychological aspects    7. Self-Help    8. Self-actualization (Psychology    9. Self-actualization (Psychology)    10. Self-efficacy    11. Success    12. Twelve-Step Programs    13. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    14. Popular psychology    15. Self-Help / Success   

Subjects:  1. Inspirational - General    2. Meditation    3. Recovery    4. Self-Help    5. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    6. Twelve-Step Programs    7. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    8. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (5)

Glumlot Letters
If you love to laugh you must have this book. Great reading for those with a few 24 hours.I have shared a few parts of this book with some people I sponsor, they could not stop laughing. Wonderful way to get people to open up. Superway to get a meeting going.

The Glumlot Letters
An excellent book that is very cleverly written.If you are like me and you came to the fellowship with no idea of; Wonderful!
This is the most clever, entertaining, and enlightening book on recovery I have ever read. I know that you will love it too. -- Frank D. - Author of The Annotated AA Handbook ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Recovery    2. Self-Help    3. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    4. Twelve-Step Programs    5. Self-Help / Twelve-Step Programs   

Reviews (28)

This book changed my life
Once I came to terms that I had let myself become blind-sided by the devil, I was able to give up both my alcohol addiction as well as my AA addiction. I now live alcohol and sin free and attend church every sunday. Yay!

Unbelievable
I can't believe the number of supposed "adults" on this thread speaking of the doings of "Satan" or their faith in "Jesus Christ". This is all folklore and ancient mythism, people!You can not, as a rational human being, take it literally!If you are doing so you are not taken seriously by those who do not believe in fairy tales.
Selling books at the expense of others
It's a shame that it comes down to money.For someone to sell a book with such damage, with such contempt for the human race and for the total disregard of facts is unconsciencable.The power of the group goes back two thousand years ago to Roman times.We get our power from the group and some groups are good such as the boy scouts, a honorary scholastic fraternity or even a church. Some are bad such as gangs (the Crips), Vigilantee's who take law into their own hands and even the taliban that mis-uses human life in the name of the Lord.Miss Burns is an idiot. Plane, simple and the truth.These facts are un-challengeable.How can one person say that her way works when over two million people are sober today because a couple of guys joined the Oxford Group, splintered off and ran with the AA division of it leaves me questioning if she has her sanity or not.But then again, we all must admit that we at one time or another lost our sanity and came to believe that our lives were totally out of control or we never would have gone to the first AA meeting.The one thing that she fails to recognize about AA is that without the acceptance of a higher power and that higher power can not be disquised for anything other than God almighty, Jesus Christ our Savior and directed by the influence of the Holy Spirit, then the entire program of sobriety will not work.AA does not endorse a religion, does not compare an older, more better organized religion (ie; The Catholic Church) as opposed to a newer one (ie; the Mormons) but they do recognize that without a higher Power (whatever that higher power may be to you the individual) thus allowing the possibility of agnostics and even muslims to enter their ranks, that this power, whatever you concieve him to be, is what makes the program work.If you are considering buying this book, please contact me by email as I have a bridge I want to sell you in Brooklyn.If you are that far removed from reality that you could possibly buy this thing (don't feel bad, I bought a copy and it was the first book in my life I ever burned in the fireplace) then anything I or anybody else will say to you will fall on deft (and dumb) ears. Pick up a copy of the Big Book called Alcoholics Anonymous, it will show you the way out of the darkness and into the light. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Spiritual Warfare    2. Religion - Spiritual Warfare    3. Self-Help    4. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    5. Twelve-Step Programs   

Reviews (3)

It Got Me Through Hard Times
My Sponsor gave me this book during a time in my life when i had lots of changes - both positive and negative.When I couldn't get a thought together she would direct me to a prayer that she thought would help - it usually did.Although I struggle with the Higher Power Concept, I find that the prayers in this book are comforting.I always read what I need to read.Prayer 122 (Resent Somebody) was especially helpful.Beth - Southern California

Just lots of joy
I found the prayers in this book beautiful. The readings really touched my spiritual side.It can only be of help to any one.

When I don't know what to pray
When the end of the day has come and I want to thank God for all that has come along and I'm at a loss for words, I read this wonderful little book to get me started.On the other end of the night, in the morning, when Iget up, I read the prayer for the day and again it gets me thinkinghowgrateful I am for God's mercy and grace to keep me sober for another 24hours. This book is great for someone who's havng trouble praying or forsomeone who has trouble concentrating on a daily devotional. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Christianity    3. Devotional calendars    4. English    5. Meditation    6. Meditations    7. Prayer    8. Prayer-books and devotions    9. Religion    10. Religious aspects    11. Self-Help    12. Twelve-Step Programs    13. Christian prayerbooks   

Subjects:  1. Addicts    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. General    5. Religion    6. Religion - Christian Life    7. Religious aspects    8. Religious life    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    10. Twelve-Step Programs    11. Christian life & practice    12. Coping with personal problems   

Reviews (2)

Top History in Anne Smith Journal
Dick B. here presents part of his ten years of research on early A.A. history. But the Anne Smith contribution is tops because the material is unavailable elsewhere. The original copy was obtained from A.A. with support of Dr. Bob's daughter and consent of Trustees. But it can't be seen or republished.That's the top value of this history. On careful reading, I found that the order of presentation is that of the relation of the Twelve Steps to Anne's writing in her journal as the early years moved on. It's been a lost treasure. Dick was the historian who brought it to light as a real resource for understanding the Alcoholics Anonymous roots. Good for reading. Good for understanding. Good for Christians like me.

Anne Smith's Journal?
This book was well written and documented.It has much historical andspiritual value.My disappointment in the book was that it did not containthe contents of Anne Smith's Journal as a whole.It is an editorializeddocument written about Anne Smith's Journal, much in the form of a termpaper.I did enjoy reading the excerpts from her journal and would haveliked to read it for myself.One gets the sense of who and what Anne Smithwas from this book, however the total effect is broken up by the manyoutside points and notations.I would like to see a copy of the originaljournal as a part of this book.I think that this would complete the work. I understand that the journal by itself is not a complete document.Thecombination of the two would be a excellant resource for spiritual growthand AA history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1891-1949    2. Alcoholics Anonymous    3. Alcoholism    4. Diaries    5. History    6. Recovery    7. Religion    8. Religion / Counseling    9. Self-Help    10. Self-Help / Alcoholism    11. Smith, Anne,    12. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    13. Theism    14. Treatment    15. Twelve-Step Programs    16. United States    17. Counseling    18. Smith, Anne    19. alcohol    20. substance abuse   

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Ritual & Practice    4. Church year meditations    5. Counseling    6. Inspirational - Catholic Self Help    7. Meditations    8. Religion    9. Religion - Classic Works    10. Religious aspects    11. Twelve-Step Programs    12. Religion / General   

Reviews (1)

The truth about the 12 Steps!!
It works if you work it! Right? Or wrong....??Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Psychopathology - Addiction    3. Self-Help    4. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    5. Twelve-Step Programs