Making Known The Biblical History And Roots Of Alcoholics Anonymous

One-of-a-kind bibliography, research, and history resource containing explicit information about author Dick B.'s 16 years of research: (1) Collecting over 25,000 books and materials on the roots of A.A. (2) Using them in the publication of his 26 titles, more than 120 articles, and over 30 audio talks. (3) Describing where he went for the history, where it is located, who was interviewed, and what it contains. (4) It lists titles Dick used in his writing; all of the background titles involved in A.A.'s use of the Bible, Quiet Time, Oxford Group life-changing program, Anne Smith's Journal, Rev. Sam Shoemaker's teachings, religious literature AAs read, the United Christian Endeavor Movement, Carl Jung, William James, William D. Silkworth, Richard Peabody, Emmet Fox and many other New Thought influences. (5) It lists all the books in A.A. founder Dr. Bob's library and collections--a list found nowhere else. (6) It contains manuscripts from archives and libraries and personal collections all over the U.S. and England. (7) There is a huge collection of temperance books and literature described. (8) Topical books by A.A., about A.A., about alcoholism, about "spirituality," about the Bible, religion, and clergy. (9) Included are records of Dick's notes and interviews. (10 Almost this entire collection of materials has been donated to and can now be found and studied at Griffith Library, which is part of The Wilson House (birthplace of Bill W.) in East Dorset, Vermont. Taken together, this reference volume and the actual materials in the Griffith Library, constitute the largest and most complete record of early A.A. historical materials in the world today, other than the Library of Congress items.

In addition to being a recovered alcoholic, Dick B. has been an ardent Bible student, especially for the last 22 years of his recovery. It was always his objective to learn the Biblical roots of A.A. of which A.A. Cofounder Dr. Bob spoke so often. Dick wanted to locate and define those roots. And, after many years of digging, he was able to write this first of several books on A.A.'s roots in the Bible, the Book of James, the Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. Each year of continued research has unearthed more and more facts about early AA. and the Bible. And the facts begin with this Good Book work.

Dick B. is today regarded as the leading A.A. historian. He is a writer, Bible student, retired attorney, and active recovered member of the A.A. fellowship. He has brought to the history table: (1) His strong belief in the Creator, Christianity, and the Bible as the main source book for truth. (2) His long and fervent work with newcomers in helping them to overcome their alcoholism with the power of God. (3) His talents in writing and research that emerged from his work at the University of California where he received a Phi Beta Kappa key, his editorship of the Stanford Law Review, and his vigorous practice in writing and presenting legal briefs before many many courts. This mid-point treatise had been followed by and added up to 33 A.A. history titles so far. This book is foundational.

This is a book unlike any of the many recent biographies of A.A. co-founder William Griffith Wilson (known as Bill W.). It is filled with information about Bill's religious education, experiences, and beliefs from childhood forward. Thus Bill's knowledge of his grandfather Willie's conversion on Mount Aeolus and deliverance from alcoholism, the involvement of Bill's grandparents--the Wilsons and the Griffiths--in the life of the little East Congregational Church on the lawn between the two families' houses, the reading of the Bible by Bill's grandfather Fayette Griffith and by Bill and his boyhood friend Mark, Bill's attendance at the Congregational Sunday School and his attendance at Temperance of revival meetings, his five (yes, five) self-described spiritual experiences including his decision for Christ at Calvary Rescue Mission and his "hot flash" conversion experience at Towns Hospital, his conversations with his famous doctor William D. Silkworth about the Great Physician Jesus Christ and cure of alcoholism through Christ, Bill's extensive involvement with the Oxford Group and particularly Rev. Sam Shoemaker, and Bill's intensive involvement in prayer, Bible study, the use of devotionals, and seeking of guidance with Dr. Bob and Anne Smith at the Smith Home in Akron, particularly in the summer of 1935. All these, and more, are told in this exciting and little-known story about Wilson and God. Was Bill converted to Christ? Did Bill believe in the Creator? Did the Creator have an impact on Alcoholics Anonymous through Bill Wilson? Did the Hand of the Creator touch the lives of Wilson and of the A.A. Fellowship? Your most detailed questions and the answers about these subject have never been addressed by A.A. historians in any depth. But A.A. historian and writer, Bible student, retired attorney, and recovered AA Dick B. presents this--his thirtieth published title--as a crowning historical piece on A.A., church, religion, God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible as they really existed at and before the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous on June 10, 1935

Dick B. is regarded as the leading historian of A.A. today. He is a retired attorney, Bible student, and recovered AA who has sponsored over 100 men in recovery. He has published 33 titles on the history of early A.A's spiritual roots and successes. He frequently speaks before recovery audiences throughout the United States.

Early Akron AAs wanted "The James Club" to be the name of their fellowship. The Bible's Book of James was their favorite; they also studied it, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. These three Bible segments were considered "absolutely essential" to their program. This book takes each verse in James, the Sermon, and 1 Cor 13, and shows the influence of such verses on A.A. language.

Pioneer Stories in Alcoholics Anonymous: God's Role in Recovery Confirmed! by Dick B. and Ken B. presents many quotations from the 29 personal stories included in the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. Those stories by many of A.A.'s pioneers testify to roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.'s astonishing successes with "medically-incurable" alcoholics.

Dick B. is a writer, historian, Bible student, retired attorney, and recovered AA. He is active in the fellowship and has sponsored more than 100 men in their recovery. He has devoted 18 years to investigating, researching, analyzing, and disseminating the facts about early A.A. origins, roots, history, principles, and practices. He has published 33 titles and more than 170 articles on the subject and frequently speaks within and outside the fellowship. He is the leading A.A. early history scholar.

Dick B. is a writer, historian, Bible student, retired attorney, and recovered AA who has sponsored more than 100 men in their recovery and is actively involved in the fellowship. He has devoted 18 years to researching, reporting, publishing and disseminating materials on the spiritual roots of Alcoholics Anonymous. He is regarded as the leading historian on A.A. history today and has published 33 titles on the subject.

A 75th anniversary e-book version of the most important and practical self-help book ever written, Alcoholics Anonymous. Here is a special deluxe edition of a book that has changed millions of lives and launched the modern recovery movement: Alcoholics Anonymous. This edition not only reproduces the original 1939 text of Alcoholics Anonymous, but as a special bonus features the complete 1941 Saturday Evening Post article “Alcoholics Anonymous” by journalist Jack Alexander, which, at the time, did as much as the book itself to introduce millions of seekers to AA’s program. Alcoholics Anonymous has touched and transformed myriad lives, and finally appears in a volume that honors its posterity and impact.