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The Gangster's Guide to Sobriety: My Life in 12 Steps Hardcover – May 24, 2022

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 75 ratings
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As seen on Good Morning America

A darkly humorous and inspiring first-person account of the larger-than-life exploits and ultimate redemption of an Irish gangster-turned-actor-turned-sober-storyteller—written in collaboration with the creators of Silicon Valley.

Richie Stephens is an actor who often plays hardened gangsters and criminals. This is easy for him because he was a drug trafficker, kidnapper, drug addict, alcoholic, and all-around criminal himself. His life twisted and turned in harrowing self-destructive adventures that took him from his native Ireland to San Francisco, Australia, and finally, Los Angeles, coalescing into a classic tale of a man trying to run from his problems by moving to new and more exotic locations—a hard and painful realization that comes at a point in which he’s about to take his own life. The only reason there is a story to tell is because he did not. Instead, he found help, and in doing so, found himself. More than that, he found that help comes in different forms, and oftentimes it just takes the right thought to hit at the right time for it all to make sense.

The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety chronicles Richie’s descent into the abyss of crime and dependency, and how his personal understanding of freedom allowed him to become the functioning positive force he is today. Richie’s story is sprawling and epic, but the key to the book is the same key to his recovery: the 12 Steps. With his own flair and original understanding of life and the world, he followed the 12 Steps to find the clarity he needed to save his own life and evolve into a positive force for others. As Richie says, “Hopefully if people see that someone as fucked up as me could change their life, then there is hope for anyone.”

The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety is gripping in its honesty and openness. Even at its darkest moments, there is a keen understanding of the absurd nature of life as the author comes to grips with his failings and his faith, while also entering a place of self-acceptance. This is a story of redemption and the power of the human spirit, and how sometimes you have to turn to something greater than yourself.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    176 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Post Hill Press
  4. Publication date
    May 24, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1637581904
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1637581902
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richie Stephens is an Irish actor and writer who lives in Los Angeles, California. He is best known for playing villains on TV and in films, including Blue Bloods, MacGyver, Criminal Minds, and Days of Our Lives, his appearances in multiple Florence and the Machine music videos, and his ability to do a broad range of accents. He has appeared in over one hundred stage and screen productions and is a member of Oscar-winner Bobby Moresco’s Actor’s Gym—an exclusive group of working actors and writers. He’s been a circuit speaker in recovery groups, and he actively works with the homeless at The Midnight Mission and The Center in Hollywood.

John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky are screenwriters and executive producers of Emmy Award-winning shows King of the Hill and Silicon Valley, and wrote the hit comedy movie Blades of Glory starring Will Ferrell. They met at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where they created the first student-produced comedy show on UNC Student Television, then wrote for the legendary humor magazine National Lampoon before moving to Los Angeles. In addition to several Emmy nominations, they received a SXSW film award for their work on Silicon Valley, and have won an Environmental Media Award.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Post Hill Press (May 24, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1637581904
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1637581902
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 75 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
75 global ratings
Gripping Narrative well worth reading
5 Stars
Gripping Narrative well worth reading
I love reading memoirs. And now I have a new favorite. Richie Stephens “The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety. My Life in 12 Steps” is a gripping narrative that’s honest, humorous and down right gangster. The author take us down memory lane when he used to sell fake IDs and drugs like cocaine and ecstasy, sleep with women other than his wife, but also had failed attempts to commit suicide at numerous points of his lowest of lows. Although his Faith was weary, there was a Higher Power that protected him. It may sound cliche to read about the author having an epiphany after living a life of sex, drugs and alcohol. But the way Richie describes each of the 12 steps of his encounters through his personal life experiences leaves a picture painted in your imagination of a man who persevered even when his life seemed to have hit rock bottom. At the last chapter, the author quotes Oscar Wilde “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future”. It’s an interesting reference which depicts the life Richie lived. After reading the book, I found out Richie is an actor now. His story truly exemplifies that God gives us a second chance, or maybe even a third or fourth to change our lives for the better.
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Top reviews from the United States

Tom OC
5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy addition to anyone's "Sobriety Lit." bookshelf
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
People in recovery will tell you that, while everyone's story is different when it comes to the details, the hard choice to turn away from oblivion and toward sobriety (salvation, even?) follows a certain, specific arc from origins to final outcomes. There is a universal, very human beauty in that struggle and it is well-captured in Richie Stephens' book. His "details" are as harrowing as the title would suggest, and he spins them in the way of his people: equal parts blarney, fisticuffs, and a fragile, achingly tender heart.
6 people found this helpful
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m_newt18
5.0 out of 5 stars Vulnerable, real, and about to help countless others
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2022
Verified Purchase
Stephens' work in telling his story regardless of such a difficult history reads as genuine. In showing all he's did and went through, and how he pulled out of that life to become sober and be better, I know he's about to help a lot of people struggling in their own journeys.
One person found this helpful
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Mov
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and important book
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
A highly enjoyable fast read. I can honestly see this book kicking off an infinite series of stories. It’s an adventure. It’s not preachy so don’t worry. Just enjoy.
4 people found this helpful
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Coco
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
Story of a junkie who turned things around
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Rod Merk
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of truths, you can do it
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
You aren’t mad at me, you’re mad at your dad. Great book
One person found this helpful
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Stephen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
Entertaining, smooth read. Can’t wait for the show!
2 people found this helpful
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Whydoishoponline
5.0 out of 5 stars Great journey!
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Inspiration!
One person found this helpful
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Karla
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Narrative well worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2022
I love reading memoirs. And now I have a new favorite. Richie Stephens “The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety. My Life in 12 Steps” is a gripping narrative that’s honest, humorous and down right gangster. The author take us down memory lane when he used to sell fake IDs and drugs like cocaine and ecstasy, sleep with women other than his wife, but also had failed attempts to commit suicide at numerous points of his lowest of lows. Although his Faith was weary, there was a Higher Power that protected him. It may sound cliche to read about the author having an epiphany after living a life of sex, drugs and alcohol. But the way Richie describes each of the 12 steps of his encounters through his personal life experiences leaves a picture painted in your imagination of a man who persevered even when his life seemed to have hit rock bottom. At the last chapter, the author quotes Oscar Wilde “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future”. It’s an interesting reference which depicts the life Richie lived. After reading the book, I found out Richie is an actor now. His story truly exemplifies that God gives us a second chance, or maybe even a third or fourth to change our lives for the better.
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Karla
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Narrative well worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2022
I love reading memoirs. And now I have a new favorite. Richie Stephens “The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety. My Life in 12 Steps” is a gripping narrative that’s honest, humorous and down right gangster. The author take us down memory lane when he used to sell fake IDs and drugs like cocaine and ecstasy, sleep with women other than his wife, but also had failed attempts to commit suicide at numerous points of his lowest of lows. Although his Faith was weary, there was a Higher Power that protected him. It may sound cliche to read about the author having an epiphany after living a life of sex, drugs and alcohol. But the way Richie describes each of the 12 steps of his encounters through his personal life experiences leaves a picture painted in your imagination of a man who persevered even when his life seemed to have hit rock bottom. At the last chapter, the author quotes Oscar Wilde “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future”. It’s an interesting reference which depicts the life Richie lived. After reading the book, I found out Richie is an actor now. His story truly exemplifies that God gives us a second chance, or maybe even a third or fourth to change our lives for the better.
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5 people found this helpful
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