Book review with a spiritual twist

You might be interested in this review of "Undrunk" on a web site called "Spiritual River." It is not entirely favorable to the book, but the author clearly thought about it and I want to share his thinking with you. Best, A.J.

http://www.spiritualriver.com/undrunk-book-review/

"Undrunk" Featured on Colorado TV

Here is a link to a Septmeber 8th interview on KKTV in Colorado about Undrunk. Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/57613222.html#

A.J.

A.J. Guest Speaker at Oxford House World Convention

A.J. addressed the 11th World Convention of Oxford House at the Washington, DC Hyatt Hotel on September 5th on the subject, "The Importance of the Newcomer to AA." More than 600 delegates from across the country applauded A.J.'s conclusion that, "The relevance and effectiveness of AA will -- and should -- ultimately be judged by how successful we are with the newcomers who arrive on our doorstep looking for help." Most of those who quit AA do so in the first few weeks and so the newcomer experience is crucial not only to the newcomer, him or herself, but also to the sustainability of AA as an organization. "Every veteran AA member was a successful newcomer," A.J. said, "and that is why the newcomer has to be our top priority."

Download of A.J.'s full remarks are on the way and will appear on this page soon.

About Me

I was always a lucky guy, at least I thought so: private school, name university, married the dream girl, had the perfect kids, big job, big house, big paycheck -- and big problem. I was an alcoholic and I was losing control of everything at once.

My book "Undrunk: A Skeptic's Guide to AA" (Hazelden 2009)is the story of how a life in freefall was rescued by the venerable 75-year old program of Alcoholics Anonymous. I came to AA as a last resort looking only for a way to quit drinking and get my life back. Imagine my surprise when they told me I would have to quit drinking first and then we could think about straightening out my life! Didn't seem fair. But, I was out of air speed and good ideas, so I grudgingly gave it a try. I was as surprised as everyone else in my life when I found sobriety, health, and a new life that was better than anything I could have imagined as a drinker.

I don't sugarcoat my story and I think big chunks of what happened to me are pretty funny (now that I am sober). I try to tell you the reader how recovery happened for me and what it felt like during that first year. My life story is a cautionary tale, for sure, but redemption and renewal are what I live by today. If you or someone you know could use a dose of that, you will like "Undrunk."

Best, A.J. Adams (pen name)

New Facebook Fan Page
Hazelden Page

Radio Interviews

Here's an interview I did on Sirius Radio's "Urban Journal" - AJ: http://www.box.net/shared/9ak320f9u2

And another with WGY Radio:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ljv4ynunjdm

Review Highlights

Reaction to Undrunk: A Skeptic’s Guide to AA (Hazelden 2009) has been extraordinary. Undrunk is already a phenomenon in the recovery community and has non-fiction bestseller written all over it. Here’s a sampling of the rave reviews coming in from all over the country.

· “… a book that I couldn’t put down, and couldn’t forget.”
· “A.J. Adams de-mystifies the process of recovery through AA.”
· “I’m much less a skeptic after reading Undrunk.”
· “… an incredible insight into the success of AA.”
· “… honesty and optimism that amazed me on nearly every page.”
· “This book is for just about everyone.”
· “… inspirational book full of wisdom and laugh out loud humor.”
· “I wish I had this book when I first entered AA.”
· “… support and inspiration to millions.”
· “…no exaggeration to say Undrunk holds life-saving potential.”
· “A must read for anyone who might need AA.”
· “… inspiring account of one of AAs successes.”
· “… profoundly human.”
· “… uplifting.”
· “Hands down, the best recovery book I have read in 20 years.” (Dr. Gary Forrest, clinical psychologist)
· “Undrunk is going to click with millions of alcoholics and desperate family members across this country. It is a resource we’ve been waiting for in the medical community for a long time.” ( David G. Dixon, MD)

Amazon Customer 5 Star Review

Undrunk is a must-read., June 11, 2009
By lamp (San Jose, CA) (5 Stars)

Undrunk is a must-read for anyone who's ever been touched by alcoholism--in other words, for most of us. In a friendly, witty, insightful, self-deprecating and touchingly poignant style, A. J. Adams shares the world of the alcoholic, before his encounters with AA and through the challenging, surprising and sometimes exhilarating journey of recovery. Having spent a lifetime as "collateral damage" of the alcoholics in my life, I found Undrunk offered both an honesty and an optimism that amazed me on nearly every page. Most captivating is the depth of A.J.'s ongoing reinvention of himself. It is said that in recovery, some people get well, and some get weller. A.J. Adams is one of them. We can all learn something about ourselves from A. J.'s journey. This book is a quick-read, one that I both couldn't put down, and couldn't forget.