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Rating: 
Summary: Get a load of the picture on the cover...LOL!!!
Review: Click on the book and look at that cover!!
I love it... it kinda lets you know where the author is coming from.
I see these people in meetings all the time, they come to AA and want a diff way of life.....but they are not willing to do the work, and when they slip they automatically blame AA...Laughable, but sad.
So lets clear it up right now.....AA is an accurate cross section of society and not everybody is a saint, it's like that everywhere...work, home, church,etc.
But you will find WHATEVER you are looking for...if you are looking for the best way to get over drinking and a way of life you never imagined, it's here.....if you are looking for excuses to continue drinking, you'll find that too....Nobody can rationalize like an Alcoholic.
I'd like to see a follow-up on these people, I would bet that they either are worse off than they ever imagined or they have come back to AA ( They usually do) with a differant attitude and are reaping the benifits of a spiritual way of life, giving freely of themselves and leading a fufilling life being of service to others.
The reality is that AA has helped over 3 million HOPELESS alcoholics recover from this disease.
We're here if you want help, but if you are not willing to do the work and are looking for excuses, we urge you to go out and try it on your own...if you make it our hats are off to you...if not ....you know where we are.
Rating: 
Summary: Brave AA book!
Review: I didn't think anyone would ever have the nerve to talk about the stuff that happens in AA and NA. Wow, she must have a lot of nerve. As for the reader who thought this book is "slanted," that's really weird. 2 or 3 of the writers were Christians and many were other types of religious persons who think AA stinks and doesn't work. Also, a bunch of the writers thinks AA is okay for some people. The point of the whole book is that AA isn't for everyone and that an alcoholic can get better without it.
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Summary: The 12-Step Cult is Waiting for You!!!
Review: I read 12-Step Horror Stories because 12-stepping is used by the co-dependent Shadow Priest to "treat" the made-up co-dependent disorder. I was not prepared for the tales of misery that lie with in these pages. The mistreatment received by the unsuspecting victims of the 12-Steppers, as told by real people, who lived it, is unforgivable.To think that our courts and employers are forcing people into this 12-stepping cult scares the hell out of me, and should you as well. For as shown in these pages anyone, even a non-user, and yes even you can be mandated to this nightmare. This book can help to open your eyes so you will know that there are other options to the 12-stepping cult. This fine book talk mostly about AA and NA 12-Step groups where attendances is many times compulsory nevertheless please understand that the made-up disorder they are calling co-dependency is, as well, under the control of the 12-stepping cultist. No one is forced into the co-dependency 12-step cult thus I find it mind bogging that anyone would enthusiastically put on this coat of powerlessness, victim hood, and disease. Why would anyone willingly place their mind under a cult's mind control is beyond my ability to understand. All the same, they do by the millions. Read this book and enamor yourself, for the 12-Step cult is waiting to consume your humanity
Rick Goodner, Author of "Co-dependent... What a Bore and Other Clinical Observations"
Rating:
Summary: horror stories from every aspect of society not just 12 step
Review: I was very disappointed with this book. I agree with a "reader" above. Many people come into these programs, they don't do the work and choose others who are as equally sick as they are to befriend and inevitably they fail and AA or other 12 step programs are then to blame. It is sad.
Whether you go see a psychologist, group therapy, counsellor or shrink, church, other religious or spiritual adivsors, there is abuse, misery and betrayal.
As with everything, take what you want - leave the rest. I'm leaving this book in the bin for whoever wants it.
Rating:
Summary: Glad to see a book like this...
Review: I wish this book had been on my local bookseller's shelves years ago. It would have given me the courage to get out of AA much sooner. I was an AA member from early 1989 until mid-1993, and during that time I saw firsthand or heard reliable accounts of just about every form of nastiness described in this book--and more. I saw old-timers treat newcomers like dirt, "13th step" the most vulnerable new members, and exploit their "sponsees" in myriad ways. People with depressive, bipolar or anxiety disorders were discouraged from taking "mind-altering chemicals" and told to pray, work the steps, be grateful, and they would get better. Friends and acquaintances of mine committed suicide even after doing everything they were supposed to--working steps, going to meetings, talking to their sponsors, praying. People in pain due to life crises (divorce, deaths, cancer, rape) were offered "help" in the form of canned slogans and recovery jargon that was all too often inadequate, inappropriate, or even counterproductive and hurtful. Yes, there are good people in AA, and yes, there are success stories. But there are also a lot of manipulative, deceptive, narcissistic, and downright crazy people in the program. The unwillingness of good people to openly pass judgment--much less act on it--means they can get away with abuse and exploitation of more vulnerable members. Many of the contributors to "12-Step Horror Stories" describe not only their experiences at the hands of these people, but also the ways AA rhetoric is used to make the victims accept guilt and blame. If you're raped by a fellow AA member, it must have been your fault--"look at your part in it," you'll be told. Don't believe it? Maybe it's time to pick up a copy of this book and read it. The people who gave this book one star are probably all AA members (the use of recovery jargon gives most of them away). Having been "born again," in a sense, they act like any other religious zealots would by trying to discredit critics and dissenters, silence those who do not present the "correct" image, and place blame on the victims while upholding the structures that enabled their victimization. AA members who speak out against or question the tenets of "recovery" find themselves faced with harsh criticism from other members, and even suggestions that they may be headed toward another drunk. It's just not allowed, and to break away and speak critically of AA and what happens among its members means having to withstand nasty comments, threats, slander and outright harassment. The people who contributed their stories to this book need to be heard and taken seriously--they raise important issues for anyone trying to break free from addiction, who cares for someone who is, or who works in the "treatment" industry. Over ten years ago, I left AA for many reasons--its theories of addiction and recovery were logically indefensible, I was unable to summon the quasi-religious faith required, and after dealing with the sick social dynamics long enough I couldn't cope with it anymore. After reading Stanton Peele's "The Truth About Addiction and Recovery" and thinking long and hard about why I drank, I decided to try social drinking. Ten years later, it's still working. As happy as I am to see critiques of AA now in print, I would love to see a similar collection of stories by former alcoholics who got over the AA brainwashing and actually *recovered* (whether they choose to drink or not)...
Rating:
Summary: Glad to see a book like this...
Review: I'm glad to see this book, although I think it will be a long time - if ever - before society at large really listens and understands what happens in the "rooms." It's sort of frightening to read some of the reviews by 12-steppers here and remember what it was like to live that way, to BE one of those people. I spent nearly 5 years of my life in those programs. I was young and vulnerable, and I swallowed their slogans and their disease theory for far too long... I only wish that this book had been around back then. I really thought if I left I would be back "out there," and everything that comes along with it. Nearly 5 years after leaving I see those programs for what they really are and I'm just grateful I didn't stay longer. Life is good.
Rating: 
Summary: A brilliant eye opener
Review: This book has opened my eyes for things wich are really going on in these groups.
Brilliant! "a must read" for all members of the 12 step cult.
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Summary: The treatment industry is exposed
Review: This review is not meant to denounce the 12-step AA program, I have seen many helped by it. I am writing this review to applaud this book for exposing the kinds of absolute power that have emerged from the 12 step program and have formed a kind of hidden, frightening dictatorship that operates freely within our democratic society. this book also exposes our society's tacit assumption that the 12 step program is the only one that works for addictions (the recent film Traffic is just one more example of this assumption). And, this book exposes the absolute power given by many treatment programs to untrained laypeople to diagnose and control others. The stories in this book are frightening and dramatic. Everyone who has ever taken a drink of alcohol for any reason will should read it and anyone who works as any kind of counselor should read it. But then, every parent of a child old enough to drink alcohol should read it and every volunteer or paid worker for an organized religion should read it. It's clear from their urgent tone that the people whose stories are told in this book have been desperate for someone to tell their shocking experiences to. Fransway has clearly provided them and the readers a great service by listening to presenting those stories here.
Rating:
Summary: What amazes me...
Review: Unfortunately there are a lot of people "not drinking" in 12 step programs and very little "Real" recovery. I know, I got sober in AA, continued to be the same louse, tried to USE people places + things to make me better instead of getting recovery through the steps, Guess what, I left AA after 4 yrs, and after 7 years was an active alcoholic again. I'm back in AA, and Today I have a sponsor who's recovery is grounded in the BIG BOOK, not whatever she makes up in her mind, like a meeting every day, call every day, have no life outside of AA-thats not what the book says! I have recovery today because I use the steps, not people to feel better. I'm also ammending to the people I hurt while supposedly recovered. I truly know I have a connetion to a powerful divine source. If you are trying to truly recover, get a sponsor who has a sponsor & uses the book, READ what it really says!!. As to medications, the book says (p133) "But this does not mean we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psycologists, and prctitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons" Again, READ what the book says for yourself!
Rating: 
Summary: a lot of sober people, little recovery
Review: Unfortunately there are a lot of people "not drinking" in 12 step programs and very little "Real" recovery. I know, I got sober in AA, continued to be the same louse, tried to USE people places + things to make me better instead of getting recovery through the steps, Guess what, I left AA after 4 yrs, and after 7 years was an active alcoholic again. I'm back in AA, and Today I have a sponsor who's recovery is grounded in the BIG BOOK, not whatever she makes up in her mind, like a meeting every day, call every day, have no life outside of AA-thats not what the book says! I have recovery today because I use the steps, not people to feel better. I'm also ammending to the people I hurt while supposedly recovered. I truly know I have a connetion to a powerful divine source. If you are trying to truly recover, get a sponsor who has a sponsor & uses the book, READ what it really says!!. As to medications, the book says (p133) "But this does not mean we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psycologists, and prctitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons" Again, READ what the book says for yourself!
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