In The Triumph of Principles: A Story of American Spirituality in Twelve Steps, Ben Riggs walks readers through America's storied intellectual past to arrive at the Twelve Steps. Why the Steps? We've all heard of them, but do we really know what they are or why they are important?

The Library of Congress named the book that launched the Twelve Steps one of the eighty-eight books that shaped America?Riggs explains how and why the path blazed by this exceptional group of recovering alcoholics embodies the quintessential American spirituality. He explores the influence of democracy, pluralism, egalitarianism, Transcendentalism, and American Pragmatics on the Twelve Steps, revealing a practical approach to spirituality that benefits everyone. Riggs also provides in-depth commentary on the practice of each Step, inviting the reader to experience their simplicity and effectiveness firsthand. The Triumph of Principles is a must-read for students of American philosophy, practical spirituality, and of course, practitioners of the Twelve Steps.