“Peg O’Connor speaks to the heart of the struggles that get in the way of spirituality and recovery, and how to move through them. Her work is important not only for people with addiction but also in helping those who love them find their own recovery and spiritual connection.” 

— P. Casey Arrillaga, author of Realistic Hope: The Family Survival Guide for Facing Alcoholism and Other Addictions and host of “Addiction and the Family” Podcast 

“Peg O’Connor brings together the poignant writing of philosopher and psychologist William James and her own deep insights into addiction and recovery in this joyfully readable and timely book.  Using James’ own case studies as an overall framework, O’Connor vividly describes the depths and shallows that sufferers of addiction may experience, and the many ways in which conversion and change can happen.” 

— Candice Shelby, author of Addiction: A Philosophical Perspective 

“Peg O’Connor’s Higher and Friendly Powers shows the way to freedom from addiction without requiring belief in the God or gods of any sectarian tradition. A brilliant and important book!” 

— Owen Flanagan, Professor Emeritus, Duke University 

“With a light touch and lucid prose, Peg O’Connor finds in the writings of William James a much-needed corrective to the heavy-handed religiosity that permeates so much understanding of addiction and recovery — in AA and elsewhere — while yet finding room for experiences of suffering, conversion, renunciation, communion, connection, and even faith. Part philosophy and part guide to life, this eclectic and deeply humane book puts the individual psychology of addiction back where it belongs, on center stage.”  

— Hanna Pickard, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University 

“O’Connor wisely navigates a course between the William James “advocates” in academia and 12 Step “Big book thumpers,” each of whom are possessive of their own intellectual history.  This book will satisfy both and allow both to learn and grow.”   

— Paul Schulte, author of Cravings for Deliverance: How William James, the Father of American Psychology, Inspired Alcoholics Anonymous