The program as described in the literature is very different than the practice IRL I found. The two are often completely at odds. For example, the literature says that we should be able to call on other members for help staying sober, but if you do this it is called living in the problem. There is also the idea that helping others stay sober can help us stay sober ourselves. However those who need the most help are in early recovery and do not have much contact with those experierienced folk most able to help them.
I really like the AA of the Big Book. I only wish I had been able to find a group that was like it.