**The Little Black Book: A Comprehensive Review of Twenty-Four Hours a Day**

At the time of its publication, Twenty-four Hours a Day filled a crucial spiritual void among recovering alcoholics. Step 11 in Alcoholics Anonymous called for daily prayer and meditation but provided no detailed instructions. The Big Book (BB) suggested memorizing set prayers and seeking advice from religious leaders, leaving alcoholics with religious devotionals that didn't address their specific needs. It was God Calling that inspired an alcoholic, Richmond Walker, to write a book that would truly speak to his fellow drunks.

The Little Black Book (LBB) began as a series of small cards for Walker's personal use. Encouraged by the AA group in Daytona Beach, he turned them into a book, which was printed at the local courthouse and distributed from his basement. It was an instant success, selling 18,000 copies between 1948 and 1954. It spawned a new genre of modern meditation books, launched Hazelden into the publishing business, and became the best-selling recovery work after the BB, with sales surpassing 10 million.

The LBB is published anonymously, with only a note in the back indicating it was "Compiled by a member of the Group at Daytona Beach, Fla." Walker was from a well-to-do family in Brookline, intelligent, and highly educated. His drinking career started in college and ended in 1939 when he got sober in the Oxford Group. After a relapse, he joined the AA group in Boston in 1942 and published "For Drunks Only" in 1945, which also inspired the LBB.

Organizationally, the LBB is simple. Each page has three sections: AA Thought for the Day, Meditation for the Day, and Prayer for the Day. The Thought introduces a theme and concludes with a question, the Meditation moves the ideas to a deeper level, and the Prayer prays for the ideals to become a reality. The three sections are closely linked, forming a spiritual continuum that engages the head, heart, and imagination.

The AA Thought for the Day centers on the alcoholic experience, often adapted from Walker's earlier work and the BB. It has a narrative cast and uses "we" or "I" to share the drinking past and recovery. The Meditation for the Day focuses on spiritual awakening, with material adapted from God Calling. It takes various forms, such as affirmations, resolutions, and self-talk. The Prayer for the Day is introduced with "I pray that" and has the ring of an aspiration, grounded in God as the source of power.

The LBB was influenced by the OG and continues to display some concepts the BB has abandoned, like the Four Absolutes and the 5Cs. It also uses Biblical allusions more frequently and directly. However, there are differences in tone. The BB moved away from the language of duty and obligation, while the LBB retains some of this idiom, which can sound preachy to recovering alcoholics. Overall, the LBB is a transitional work with some flaws, but it is still closer to the BB and the 12 Steps than any other book in the secondary AA literature and is invaluable for those who want to practice daily prayer and meditation.

My Experience with the LBB

I started using the LBB in 1984 when I was newly sober. After a while, I tried other meditation books, but eventually returned to the LBB six years ago. It is now heavily marked and annotated, and I always find something useful to reflect upon. It centers me on the spiritual program of recovery, reminds me of my journey, and shows me how to live my life one day at a time.

Excellent!

I must highly recommend this book for anyone who is in the process of recovery. It is truly a remarkable resource that offers valuable insights and inspiration.

There are numerous different versions or variations of this book available for you to choose from. Whether you are facing physical, emotional, or mental challenges during your recovery journey, this book can provide the support and guidance you need.

If you find yourself struggling or facing difficulties, I strongly suggest picking up this book and reading it. It has the power to uplift your spirits, boost your motivation, and give you the strength to persevere.

This is not just an ordinary book; it is a companion that you should keep with you always. Make it a habit to read it daily, even if it's just a few pages at a time. The words within its pages have the potential to transform your perspective and help you on your path to recovery.

So, don't hesitate. Grab a copy of this amazing book and start your journey towards a better, healthier life today!

A brilliant companion to the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions and the Big Book to be enjoyed daily.

This remarkable resource serves as an excellent addition to the well-known 12 Steps and 12 Traditions as well as the Big Book. It is designed to be a source of inspiration and guidance that can be cherished and utilized on a daily basis.

Whether you are new to the recovery journey or have been on it for some time, this companion offers valuable insights and perspectives. It helps you to deepen your understanding of the principles and concepts presented in the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, and provides practical applications that can be incorporated into your daily life.

By engaging with this brilliant companion on a daily basis, you can enhance your spiritual growth, strengthen your recovery, and find greater meaning and purpose in your life. It is truly a must-have for anyone seeking to embark on or continue their journey of recovery and personal transformation.

I love this book

This book is truly an amazing daily reader. It seems to have a universal appeal, being appropriate for people of all ages and backgrounds. I have really enjoyed reading it every day as it provides a great start to my day. The principles presented in the book are timeless and can be applied to various aspects of our lives. It offers valuable insights and practical advice that can help us grow and improve. The writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making it accessible to everyone. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a source of inspiration and motivation. It has truly become a favorite of mine and I look forward to reading it again and again.

I truly love this little book!

It holds a special place in my heart as it has been one of the most precious tools that I have utilized to save my life.

Whenever I pick up this book, it feels like a source of strength and inspiration.

The words within its pages seem to speak directly to my soul, guiding me through the toughest of times.

I have turned to it countless times when faced with challenges and difficulties, and it has never failed to provide me with the wisdom and courage I need.

This little book is not just a collection of words; it is a companion that has accompanied me on my journey of self-discovery and growth.

I am forever grateful for its existence and will continue to cherish it for the rest of my life.

Great...but not perfect!


I have been enjoying this daily meditation for a significant number of years. It has become a part of my routine, providing a certain level of calm and focus each day. However, it must be said that it is not my absolute favorite meditation book. While it is reliable and offers consistent guidance, it lacks that extra something that would make it truly outstanding. There are other meditation books out there that have managed to capture my attention and engage me on a deeper level. Nevertheless, this one still has its merits and I continue to use it regularly. It serves as a good foundation for my daily practice, but I am always on the lookout for something that will take my meditation experience to the next level.

This book is truly a lifesaver!

It has provided me with so much valuable information and inspiration. From the moment I picked it up, I was hooked. The author's writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making it accessible to readers of all levels.

The content is not only practical but also thought-provoking. It has helped me to view things from a different perspective and has given me the confidence to take on new challenges. I have recommended this book to all my friends and colleagues, and they have all had the same positive experience.

I cannot imagine my life without this book now. It has become a constant companion and a source of strength whenever I need it. If you are looking for a book that will change your life, then look no further. This book is the real deal!

This is a God-centered daily reader specifically designed for members of Alcoholics Anonymous or those involved in any 12 Step program who are willing to replace the words "alcohol" and "alcoholism" with the disease of their choice.

Before Alcoholics Anonymous World Services released "Daily Reflections: A Book of Reflections by A.A. Members for A.A. Members", many AA members turned to the Twenty-Four Hours a Day book. The author initially self-published it for the individuals in AA that he sponsored. However, when he offered it to AA, they declined. I推测 it was due to the somewhat religious nature of the book. AA was evolving away from an overtly religious discourse and striving to become more generally spiritual to serve the greatest number of people. But if you are seeking a more God-centered narrative, then the Twenty-Four Hours a Day book is a suitable choice.

I have read it multiple times and possess a copy. Years ago, I would have given this book a 4-star rating. However, my spiritual perspective has shifted over the years, and I now find the wording at times to be jarring. Nevertheless, I concur with the general concepts. Perhaps I need to pen my own.

Despite any alterations to my personal spiritual viewpoint, I will continue to read this book. It still holds value and offers insights that can contribute to my growth and understanding within the context of the 12 Step program.

Rated: C

This is a daily devotional specifically designed for AA members. It offers an interesting read that might provide inspiration and strength to those in recovery.

As I perused through it, I couldn't help but wonder if my father, who was also part of the AA community, had ever used this book for encouragement.

The devotional contains a collection of thoughts, prayers, and reflections that are likely to resonate with individuals on the path to sobriety.

It serves as a reminder that they are not alone in their journey and that there is hope for a better tomorrow.

Whether my father found solace in these pages or not, this devotional holds the potential to touch the lives of many AA members and offer them the support they need.

It is a valuable resource that can help individuals stay focused on their recovery goals and find the motivation to keep moving forward.

Overall, it is an interesting and potentially life-changing read for those involved in the AA program.

A friend of mine presented me with this book in an attempt to assist me with certain matters that I was currently experiencing.

However, at that particular moment, it proved to be far too weighty for me to completely understand and work through.

The content seemed dense and overwhelming, making it difficult for me to fully engage with it.

Nonetheless, I have not given up hope. I firmly believe that there are valuable insights and solutions hidden within its pages.

I look forward to the opportunity to revisit this book at a later time when I am in a better state of mind and more receptive to its teachings.

Perhaps then, I will be able to find the help and guidance that I so desperately seek.

Gee, it's been years since I last looked at this. For a period of time, I used it daily when I was a "wanna-be" drunk. You see, there was a program for drunks, and I thought maybe if I was a drunk, I could be cured! Oh well, unfortunately, there's no cure for being me. However, I truly admire how that program can assist so many people. And little things like this daily meditation book really made a significant difference in the journey of recovery for many of the people I knew back then.

Now, if only I could come across a daily meditation that could offer some sort of relief from being me..... It would be great to find something that could help me deal with myself better. Maybe there's a special kind of meditation out there that could do just that. I'll have to keep looking and hoping.

I don't touch cigarettes at all, but I like this book.

Replacing "cigarettes" with anything you are struggling with, and it helps you to surrender and to accept.

This simple sentence holds a profound truth. We all have our own vices or challenges that we find difficult to overcome. Whether it's an addiction to junk food, a tendency to procrastinate, or a habit of overthinking, these things can weigh us down and prevent us from living our best lives.

However, by reading this book, we can learn to let go of our struggles and accept them for what they are. We can stop fighting against ourselves and instead focus on finding ways to manage our issues in a healthy and positive way.

In conclusion, this book has the potential to be a life-changing tool for anyone who is looking to break free from their limitations and embrace a more fulfilling life.