It is a self help book as it relates to Alcoholism. It is a companion to the Alcoholics Anonymous book. Thousands of recovering alcoholics use this today. The original big book was red. The title came from users to indicate that it went hand and hand with the Big red book as it was affectionately called prior to changing the color from red to blue. Then it was simply called the big book. It remains as the most straight forward and simple way to learn the twelve steps. May this reprint help to keep the miracle alive. God Bless Tuchy P