“Undrunk” Is A Really Good Read…however….
Oct 26, 09- (by Bill)
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- 12 Step Paths, Reviews
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I’m just finishing Undrunk - A Skeptic’s Guide to AA, by A. J. Adams (Hazelden, 2009). Undrunk may be the most lucid explanation of what AA is (and is not), how it functions and “how it works” that I’ve ever read, including all of the AA-Approved literature. It is at once a primer for the reader who just isn’t quite sure, an explanation for newcomers, and a great narrative of a personal journey, written with eloquence and wit. Along with being funny (at least to those of us who have been there), it’s almost never boring.
Still, as impressed as I am by the book’s content, style and presentation, I have to worry about the writer just a little. Why? Because when he wrote the book, published this year, he was just one year sober.
I know a little bit about writing, and about the research, proofreading, editing, re-writing and so forth that’s involved in birthing a book of any kind. I know that producing a good book — and this is a good book — can pretty much consume a person. I also know, from personal and painful experience, how analyzing AA and becoming a self-made guru can mess with a person’s own development in early recovery. I’m not accusing A. J. of this; I’m just sayin’.
Combine these three things: research, analysis and immersion, and you create a two-edged sword. On one hand, you have the potential of creating a know-it-all attitude that can seriously hamper your ability to listen, learn, and apply the collective wisdom of the fellowship to your own life. On the other, by immersing in the pool of experience and tradition that is the essence of a 12-step group, there is the potential for deeper understanding and application to self, if approached with a major dose of good ol’ humility.
I like the book. I really, really like it. But I hope things work out better for the writer than they did in this scribe’s early recovery. I’m sure that much of Undrunk’s appeal is due to the enthusiasm of the newcomer who did such a fine job of writing it.
I just hope he’ll be OK.
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Good point. I question having one’s name in print on the subject of a 12 step program. Having my name suddenly appear as a card in the catalog of the Library of Congress messed with my head like crazy. I had to sit in meetings and NOT TALK for a really long time before I felt like “one among” and not “one above”
Me too. It’s easy to lecture; much harder to share.
Hi Bill, Just came across your very nice comments on Undrunk — thanks a lot. My sobriety date is Oct 2006 and so I had a bit more than that first year sober when UD came out. Still sober and having a great AA life. I am in the US right now on R&R from Afghanistan where I am doing some work for government. No AA at my forward operating base in Kandahar Province. Couldn’t do any of this without my program, though — just had to modify it to fit my circumstances. Hope you are well and living the good AA life, too, Bill. Best, AJ Adams
Hi AJ,
Great to hear from you, and that you are doing OK. I’ve recommended Undrunk to several people, even a couple of bleedin’ deacons I was sure would hate it. All of them thought it was great.
If you need a little long-distance support, you can reach me at whatmesober.com. bill@
Regards,
bw