"Fortunately, The Little Red Book was one of the first books given to me when I got sober in 1976," she said. "With its help, the Twelve Steps, which initially seemed pretty mysterious, began to make sense." Although she learned to look past the outdated language in order to still "hear" the message, Casey said that even after almost three decades, her longing for books that "call to us" has not lessened.

Thanks to Casey, we now have The Little Red Book for Women. The classic text has been reprinted in its entirety with annotations written by Casey. In the margins of The Little Red Book for Women, she interprets the venerable traditions and wisdom of AA for a new generation of women readers who seek the restorative powers of Twelve Step recovery. Casey builds on the integrity and intent of The Little Red Book by making its insights more inclusive and more relevant to women.

For example, where the original text speaks of powerlessness in its introduction, Casey explains in her annotation how "the word powerlessness is a stumbling block for some women, not because we have power over alcohol, but because the concept of powerlessness suggests cultural and personal weakness. In recovery we seek a self-image that reflects empowerment."

A female slant to the Steps
"We are lucky to have an author like Karen who can look at the content immediately and understand how to translate it for contemporary women," said Hazelden executive editor Rebecca Post. "She really understands the essence of the Twelve Steps and how simple yet profound they are. I know she's sponsored many women over the years, so she can write from the perspective of a recovering person as well as a sponsor. Karen made this project easy."

"I was honored when Hazelden asked me to do this revision," said Casey, author of Each Day a New Beginning, the popular women's meditation book. "It felt like a blessing since it afforded me the opportunity to intently study the book again. I think we can never read books like The Little Red Book too often. I hope The Little Red Book for Women will enhance readers' understanding of the Twelve Steps and allow them to make an even greater commitment to sharing their experience, strength, and hope about this program that is saving so many of our sisters."

Alcoholism is an isolating, all-consuming condition for women. As Casey writes in one annotation, "Many women return to drinking because they 'forgot who they were.'" Casey shows readers how AA can introduce women to new friends and healthy behaviors as they begin the time-honored process of reclaiming their lives.

Published in The Voice, Winter 2004