Father Fred and the Twelve Steps (Second Edition): A Primer for Recovery

I just finished reading this book. It is my absolute favorite 12 step book that I have read...I like it even more than the big book. I am in a 12 step program but not AA, and I still found that I could relate very much to Father Fred. He shares a lot of wisdom. I am thinking of getting this book for everyone at a 12 step retreat that I am doing in a couple of weeks. Get this book - you won't regret it.

This book contains one of the best interpretations of the 12 steps that I've read. Fr. Fred was an alcoholic in Worcester, MA and was later asked to give these talks. The book, published by a small press, has received its popularity by word of mouth. Do not be put off that the talks are by a priest; he is a man of faith but does not proselytize. His description of the addict as "without a defense" and needing "the care of God" is very, very clear. Buy this book!

According to the publisher Fr. Fred is 50 years a jesiut priest,an a member of alcoholics anonymous for almost 40 years. This very well written{especially when you consider they are simply transcriptes of talks],clear rendering of the 12 steps. A great deal of the literature on the 12 steps takes a teacher-student dialogue approach,whereas fr. fred seems to be far more humble,and so much more effective.He breaks down each step chapter by chapetr[his 3rd step,6th and 7th are worth thr price of the book alone].His language is VERY SIMPLE AND CLEAR.I have avidly read almost everything that i can get on the 12 steps, and i agree with the previous reviewer,this is essentila,and BY FAR AND AWAY THE BEST BOOK ON THE 12 STEPs i have read.No preaching, no religion,no oldtimer nostagia[which,unfortunately clutters up some other books.}10 stars,20 stars. This is life affirming stuff.

This is a simple,brilliant explanation of the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous.Father Fred explains the steps in clean plain prose[though the ist edition is littered with typos].His explanation of the 2nd step is particularly excellent,though after a rather slow ist step introduction, each of the steps are magnificent. Pardon the hyperbole, but this is one of the few necessary books I own. I have given out at LEAST 50 copies of this book,and I have found 1,1 person who did not find it very useful.Anyone,especially those in A. a. ,will find it 's clarity and brevity welcome. Do not be put off by the title,it is not a sectarian religious book.

Sometimes book titles are deceiving. For example: I am not an alcoholic, so I would not usually pick up a book that might seem to deal with that illness. The old axiom "don't judge a book by its cover" fits really well here. No one person in this world is free from problems. These may come in various packages such as addicitons, mental illness, depression, etc. However, if we strip away the outside package, the human condition is the same across the board. Pain is pain. Suffering is suffering. These need to be dealt with, and Fr. Fred's sharings on each of the 12 steps of AA is a most valuable tool to help anyone, not just those with addictions. It has helped me to look at the situations in my life squarely in the face and realize that I don't have to live with them any more. Read it. Ponder it. Read it again and again. It will become a most valuable part of your life. It will empower you to change. It will help you find wholeness.