The authors describe the wide variety of people in the fellowship, and the "camaraderie, joyousness and democracy" that the survivors of a shipwreck all share. General principles of the group are mentioned, some of which later evolved into formal Traditions that individual AA groups are asked to follow. A few different, but complimentary purposes of the Big Book are stated early in the chapter.

A possible reason for beginning the book with a long, detailed personal story such as Bill's can be gleaned from this statement on Page 18:

	"...the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is 
	properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire  
 	confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours. Until such an 
	understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished." 

The authors describe the moderate drinker, the hard drinker and the real alcoholic. The latter is distinguished by his inability to control his drinking once he starts. Various characteristics of behavior and thinking mark the career of such drinkers (mentioned on Pages 21 - 25). The mental state preceding the first drink is discussed, a topic that is taken up in much more detail in the next chapter. An important point is made here (Page 24), that the alcoholic cannot rely on memories of past consequences to prevent a relapse and that our will power is useless:

"The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink." (The last sentance is widely quoted in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(For personal experiences of this phenomenon see the story of Fred, Page 41: "This time I had not thought of the consequences at all." See also Bill's Story, Page 8: "Fear sobered me for a bit, then came the insidious insanity of that first drink...") The authors implicitly endorse Dr. Silkworth's belief that alcoholism is a disease, not a character issue. They write that when the alcoholic begins drinking, "something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience of any alcoholic will abundantly confirm this."

Beginning with the italicized statement of the chapter's title (Page 25), the authors begin implicitly discussing Step Two. No one likes the process outlined in this book,

	"[b]ut we saw that it really worked in others, and we had come to believe 
	in the hopelessness and futility of life as we had been living it. When, 
	therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been  
	solved,there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of 
  	spiritual tools laid at our feet." 
 

They believe there is "no middle-of-the-road solution", for "if we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human aid, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could, and the other was to accept spiritual help." These quotes hint at passages in How It Works, in which it is stated that "[h]alf measures availed us nothing," the second pertinent idea "(b) That no human power could have relieved our alcoholism," and "[w]e stood at the turning point." (Pages 59-60)

Next, the story of Rowland H is told at some length. (He would later befriend and help Ebby to sobriety through the Oxford Group. As we already know, Ebby, would later help Bill W.) Like Bill W, Rowland found that human aid, even in the form of world famous Dr Jung, could not relieve his alcoholism. As we noted before, this was also the case with the businessman who drank again after being dry for 25 years and died ("every means which money could buy was at his disposal") - see More About Alcoholism, Pages 32-33. Doctor Silkworth himself mentions the limits of medical treatment in this area in his foreword (Pages xxvii and xxix, Fourth Edition).

Rowland found that self-knowledge was also to no avail. This confirms Bill's experience (Page 7), as well as that of Fred the businessman (Page 40). The authors will make a strong assertion on this matter in the next chapter: "the actual or potential alcoholic, with hardly any exception, will be absolutely unable to stop drinking on the basis of self-knowledge." (Page 39) Dr. Jung then describes, in entirely psychological terms, the type of vital spiritual experience that Rowland needs (Page 27). He later does have an experience, and is relieved of his affliction. The authors conclude by citing Henry James' Varieties of Religious Experience, a book which convinces them that there is more than one way to acquire faith. This is available to anyone, of any background, who is willing and honest enough to try. There is no friction among members regarding religious affiliations, beliefs or ceremonies.

The next two chapters are described as providing "an explanation of alcoholism, as we understand it, then a chapter addressed to the agnostic," who should find little barrier. These are followed by "clear- cut directions" on how the authors recovered. The chapter closes with a hint of the first two Steps when they hope that readers will be "persuaded to say, 'Yes, I am one of them, I must have this thing.'"