Getting Better: Inside Alcoholics Anonymous

This is a comprehensive look at Alcoholics Anonymous by a member who is also a reporter for the New York Times. Robertson traces the history of the organization, which had its roots in the Oxford Movement of the 1930s and was actually formed when alcoholics Bill Wilson and Bob Smith bared their hearts to one another in Akron, Ohio, in 1935. Progress was slow at first, but as A.A. increasingly achieved success, it grew to its present membership, which numbers in the millions. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings follow standard patterns and demand both absolute candor and total anonymity. Robertson also offers insights into Al-Anon, founded for families of alcoholics. She stresses that, counter to popular wisdom, it is not necessary to be devoutly religious to join A.A. and commends society's gaining recognition of alcoholism as a disease. Concluding with her own moving story, Robertson has written an inspiring overview of a noble organization. (April)