This book describes in step-by-step detail the "original" Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings that produced a 50-75% recovery rate from alcoholism during the 1940's and 1950's. These meetings were so successful that one of A.A.'s cofounders had this to say about them:
"Sobriety-freedom from alcohol-through the teaching and practice of the Twelve Steps is the sole purpose of an A.A. group. Groups have repeatedly tried other activities, and they have always failed.... If we don't stick to these principles, we shall almost surely collapse. & if we collapse, we cannot help anyone." - Bill W., the A.A. Grapevine, Inc., February 1958
By the 1990's, the Beginners' Meetings had become an all but forgotten piece of A.A. history. In August 1997, after two years of research and another two years leading Beginners' Meetings based on a 1946 A.A. format, Wally P. published Back to Basics - The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings. The Response has been overwhelmingly positive. Thousands of Beginners' Meetings and Groups have been reestablished within the recovery community. Several hundred thousand have taken the Twelve Steps and have sponsored others through the Steps using this simple and straightforward "program of action".
Within these pages, you will learn the time-tested and proven method used by the A.A. pioneers to guide newcomers through the "Big Book." You will gain insight into the sheer simplicity of the recovery process and experience the life-changing spiritual awakening that occurs as the direct result of taking the Twelve Steps in four one-hour sessions.
