Steps and Stories: History, Steps, and Spirituality of Alcoholics Anonymous - Change Your Perspective, Change Your Mind, Change Your Worl - Paperback

by Sandy Beach (Author)

Did you know that Dr. Bob sponsored the first 13th stepper? Or that during the first Canadian convention in Montreal the nearby Seagram's Distillery flew its flags at half-mast, or how the Serenity Prayer came into use with AA? Those and many other interesting stories are told about the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Sandy's perspective on the Steps makes clear that from Step One that you are beginning a spiritual journey. His "slide projector" provides wonderful imagery and clarity to Steps 4 through 12. Sandy offers a message of hope in a way which makes the steps accessible to all and spirituality a desirable goal. He also reminds us that if we are not having fun, we are doing something wrong!Sandy considered this talk to be his quintessential work and we are sure you will agree. He recounts the remarkable confluences of people that lead up to Bill W. & Dr. Bob first meeting in Akron and tells little known stories from early AA history and along the way."The most important book since A New Pair of Glasses"

Author Biography

Richard "Sandy" Beach graduated from Yale University in 1954 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the tail end of the Korean War. He began a career as a jet fighter pilot - - a career that was ultimately shattered by 14 years of chronic alcoholism. In his struggle for sobriety, he experienced malnutrition, delirium tremens, and a six-month stay in a locked psychiatric ward. In 1964, he was shown a spiritual path to recovery and has gained his insights and perspective from 50 years on the path of the Twelve Steps. For more than 45 years, he has been delivering spiritual lectures and workshops across America as well as in a number of foreign countries. After completing a 20-year career as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., he has retired to Tampa, Fl., where he has begun once again to put his spiritual thoughts on paper. Of his life, Sandy says, "I know that I have never seen Heaven, but I have seen hell and made it back. And now this seems like Heaven."