In The Art of Moderation, John Michael has written a radical book about a common topic - alcoholics who reduce their drinking. Educated by Alcoholics Anonymous that this was impossible, John proceeded to live out the AA reality of periodically abstaining, then drinking all out for long periods at a time. Eventually, John decided to reject the AA claim that he would be an alcoholic his whole himself or herself; the values and activities one embraces; the people one associates with; the feelings that dominate one's life; heath behaviors like diet, exercise and smoking; the way one actually drinks alcohol; and one's larger ethical and moral principles. Moderating one's drinking takes time, effort, thought, and practice. It is not complicated, however. What it takes is perfecting the various facets of one's internal and external life.