The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA

By: Bill Wilson, William Silkworth, Dr. Bob Smith

Narrated by: Glenn Langohr

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The key text of Alcoholics Anonymous, which to this very day has not changed since it was first published in 1939. This is the original text, with the addition of personal stories from both the first and second editions. Also included: a current study guide from the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

This book is the best-selling self-help book for conquering addictions that range from alcoholism to drug addiction, overeating, and other issues.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 Glenn Langohr (P)2013 Glenn Langohr

GREAT BOOK - BAD READER

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A better reader.

What other book might you compare The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA to and why?

There is no comparison.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Glenn Langohr?

Anthony Hopkins.

What character would you cut from The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA?

None.

Any additional comments?

The reader is terrible, makes bad grammar & pronunciation,errors and is just terrible.

Book is fantastic. Terrible narration.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book. I would NOT recommend this audio recording.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA?

The book has been life-changing for me.

What didn’t you like about Glenn Langohr’s performance?

Awkward pauses that seem to occur when turning pages. Phrasing is frequently off as is pronunciation.

Do you think The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The book is too good to be subjected to such a bad narration.

A Must Read for Everyone

This book has changed the lives of millions around the world, and for that reason alone everyone should listen to it. The stories of changed lives are fascinating and compelling. Unlike many novels, these stories are not embellished, and drinking is not glamorised.

This book is a sobering look at alcoholism, and at the same time takes a cold hard look at the question of "Who is God and why should I take Him seriously?"

The narrator, Glenn Langhor, is clearly no professional narrator. He makes many minor mistakes and seems to stumble through some passages. But what he lacks in professional reading ability is completely overshadowed by his earnestness. This quality in itself makes the book totally compelling listening, even if you've never had a drink in your life.

I'm really glad I listened to this book. I can now understand what alcoholics and their families have to deal with.

Buyer Beware

You get what you pay for, this book is will do for those just getting into AA and maybe can’t afford a better version. Made it to Chapter 5 and couldn’t take it anymore. The narrator stumbles across the pages, mispronunciations all over the place, skipping words and tons of overdubs in a half-hearted patch job of the mistakes.

Get the Deluxe Edition if you want something you will enjoy for long-term, you would be more satisfied for sure.

Narration is the Key

Others may complain about the pace of this narration, but this book is for study not a novel. I purchased another version but the narrator could have been reading the phone book. If you more than casually interested in this book, I recommend this version.

The Book is Great The Narration is Poor

The contents of the book is awesome. Unfortunately the narrator is mono tone it lacks inflection in tonality.

LISTEN TO THE SAMPLE BEFORE PURCHASING......

first time through the big book

thanks for reading this for me I will study for the rest of my days

Learning to live life on life's terms.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA to be better than the print version?

No, it's just another option for taking in all the information held within the Big Book of AA. I attend Overeaters Anonymous but the Big Book of AA is the foundation for all the 12-Step Recovery programs.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA?

Each time I read through this or listen to it I get something new from it.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Glenn Langohr?

Yes, if it was the best option.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA?

I am constantly learning how to live like an adult and this book is a big part of that.

Any additional comments?

Best recovery program. It's works - you just have to work it doing all 12 steps.

Steps are universal, book outdated.

Classic book for addiction, especially in Anglo Saxon west societies. I already new the main thoughts in this book and the 12 steps, but didnt read it from cover to cover. I was somehow surprised how much Christianity (especially the Protestant branch) is there. The book is a child of the writers place and time of course, so I understand that, but I think it can be a problem in other cultures (as Gabor Mate says for example). I think the 12 steps are universal, but they are best set to Christian west thinking - and you dont have to be offically religious to have your thinking formed by this tradition, so I dont think it actually matter much if you are oficially atheist or not if you come from western civilization. Some other aproaches from other cultures works on same principle of spiritual and emotional/meaning transformation, but can use other more "non verbal" ways in opposite to Christian prayer and acts: meditation/mindfulness or psychedelics under supervision like Ayahuasca for example. I am also wondering if there can be some mathematical/statistical explanation why surendering our will to some power above us works - I think we can find paterns showing that surrendering our ego and old programs and going with the "flow" and "synchronization" with others creates these effects and we therefore dont need that religious narative (I am actually religious, but I like to think from various angles). You can be honest to yourself and don't run from yourself and your past without religion also as for example Ricky Gervais shows and that does a lot too. We are all assholes much or less sometimes. Overall AA groups and its branches is still the most effective way to treat addiction and other psychological problems for me, I perceive it as a sort of religion itself... (it even have the evangelization principle in it). In our country, Czech Republic, is mostly held the similar view of alcoholism (you can never drink again, you have to let go all addictions etc), but the spiritual concept which leads to real change is more or less missing in the institunalionazed treatment here and therefore is not much effective (statistically). I think there can be the rare case of alcoholic which can drink again "normally", but if he reach this state, he would probably dont want to drink anyway thanks to his change and we would probably dont call him alcoholic (but its really rare thanks to neurological reasons for example, its more ussualy some sort of lie or "lesser idol" like using less harming drugs and other addictions or its just waiting volcano that will erupt someday). I am giving 5/5 stars for 12 steps, but 3 stars for the book in current outdated state, so overall its 4/5 for me. This audiversion have somewhat "amateurish" sound/reading, but sufficient for me.

Great book for anyone who struggles

I have a hard time finding time to actually read books, but I get plenty of seat time. I have listened to it, and plan on doing it more than once or twice. This has made me look more inward than ever, and with the help of God, I hope to recover and never fall again.

Recovery will be helped by listening

If you are serious about your own recovery or indeed a professional involved in addictions, this is well worth a listen. If your personal issues are around alcohol, this is the place to start. Bear in mind some the language is from 80 years ago and personally I really enjoyed this. The narrator is passionate and whilst the quality is not state of the art digital, I think this just adds to the listeners experience.

Great to be able to listen to the big book on audio

As a recovering addict and a dyslexic I found it difficult to get into the big book in its written format. Being able to listen to it has been really helpful for my recovery and the narrator did a great job of the bringing the stories in it to life. Simple concepts made simpler by clear narratives. I listened to this in the bath and whilst driving. Now I can listen to it again and again until it really sinks in. Although some of the original text it is quite old fashioned - it still talks about a god rather than a higher power and it focuses mostly on it being men who are alcoholics ( the 'for wives' chapter was particularly frustrating) - I tried hard to see past that and see the underlying concepts it talks about. It will really help me in my recovery.

Life saver

This book his quite literary saved me life
And continues to do so
Good luck to all on their journey

A GOOD EDITION

I am grateful for this edition of the AA Big Book being available as an audible edition. The narrator's style is idiosyncratic, he reads the big book with an unusual rhythm, which I personally don't mind. He also has a habit of missing out/re-inventing the odd word or mis-pronouncing others. He reads with enthusiasm and positivity and I like listening to these qualities. After a little research, I discovered he has his own interesting story .

reader has poor pronunciation.

great content but narrator ruins it with poor pronunciation and no understanding of what he is reading

alot of help

good blue print for giving up the booze, really helped me thank you very much

poorly read, difficult to folllow

What would have made The Big Book and a Study Guide of the 12 Steps of AA better?

the editing is poor, punctuates in wrong places at times. Would like an English speaker too

Just what I needed

I am at a crisis point where I can go either way. I was recommended the big book by a family member to help me. I have found that over the past few weeks it has enabled me to find focus and clarity. As I am not great at reading this kind of book I have enjoyed listening instead during my walks in the morning. Thank you all and I hope that someone can find guidance as I have.

Amazing! truly helpful after a busy day .

Loved it. Amazing insight into the practice of AA. Thank you full of gratitude. NH

Terrible narration

Great message awful narration .. lm off to find another narrator . This must turn some folk off .