The Purpose of The Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous

If a mere code of morals or a better philosophy of life were sufficient to overcome alcoholism, many of us would have recovered long ago.  But we found that such codes and philosophies did not save us, no matter how much we tried.  We could wish to be moral, we could wish to be philosophically comforted, in fact, we could wish these things with all our might, but the needed power wasn't there.  Our human resources, as marshaled by the will, were not sufficient; they failed utterly.

Lack of power, that was our dilemma.  We had to find a Power greater than ourselves.  Obviously.   But where and how were we to find this Power?

Well, that's exactly what this book is about.  Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem.

Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd edition p.44, 45  with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.