Each year for a decade, A.A. writer and historian Dick B. has delivered seminars on all aspects of early A.A.'s spiritual roots - the Bible, Anne Smith's Journal, the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker, the Oxford Group's life changing program, Quiet Time, and books they read for spiritual growth. This particular title addresses how those spiritual roots can be used for recovery today. It is short, pithy, informative. It has been much in demand as recovery people have been clamoring for 12-Step history, studying it, and then seeking to apply it in their individual recovery, in their sponsoring of others, and in their understanding of where the historical roots fit into the entire objective of curing the alcoholic who still suffers.

Utilizing Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots for Recovery Today (Why It Worked: A.A. History Series, Vol. 1)

B., Dick

History

Good Book Publishing Company

Each year for a decade, A.A. writer and historian Dick B. has given a seminar at Bill Wilson's birthplace (called The Wilson House) on the history of early A.A.'s spiritual roots and successes. This particular title points up the declaration by A.A. co-founder Bill Wilson and by A.A. Number Three Bill Dotson that the Lord had cured each of what he termed this terrible disease, and that each just wanted to keep telling others about it. Dotson called this phraseology The Golden Text of A.A. And A.A. published that golden text at page 191 of its basic text Alcoholics Anonymous (See Big Book, page 191). I'd estimate that not one in five hundred AAs has ever seen or discussed or understood this golden text. Most are told just to read the first 164 pages of the Big Book. And the words Lord and Cured have been cast out of the first 164 pages of explanation, despite the fact that the founders and their third newcomer all credited God with their cure. The title explains why this declaration that God is responsible for the cures is so important to recovery today in a fellowship whose any god thesis is producing smaller and smaller success rates as compared to early A.A.'s 75 to 93% successes when they placed their reliance on Yahweh the Creator and insisted on acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Way

The Golden Text of A.A.: God, the Pioneers, and Real Spirituality (Why It Worked-- A.A. History Series)

Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena by Dick B. and Ken B. (Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2012) shows step-by-step how to establish or modify A.A. meetings or Christian Recovery meetings so that they can include information on the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.’s astonishing success. It answers such questions as: (1) “How can we conduct 12-Step meetings that both honor A.A.’s existing Traditions, Steps, and techniques, and at the same time allow us to talk about Jesus and the Bible?” (2) “What do we do when someone says, 'No, you can’t talk about Jesus or the Bible at an A.A. meeting’?” (3) "How can we organize, list, and hold an A.A. meeting which conducts studies of A.A. history, the Christian origins of A.A., the early or 'old-school' program of Akron A.A., and the foundational tools of present-day Twelve Step Fellowships?” (4) “Is there a way that our 12-Step group can persuade the hordes of newcomers that it is important for them to know and try to apply today the principles and practices of First Century Christianity described in the Book of Acts that were used by the early A.A. 'Christian fellowship' in Akron?” Stick with the Winners! points out that the answers to questions like those above are very simple. First, fully acquaint yourself with the A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature that actually tells about and endorses “old-school” A.A., such as The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous pamphlet (Item # P-53) and DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers. Second, share with others the informative statements about early A.A. that are already in print and available today from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., and from the AA Grapevine, both in New York. (You may obtain A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature from any local Central or Intergroup Office; and, in many cases, they are also available from outlets such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.) Third, start your group in conformity with A.A. Traditions: Gather a group of A.A. friends. Hold a Steering Committee or Organizing Committee meeting. Ask for the guidance of the loving God as He may express Himself in an informed group conscience. Select the date and place and time for your meeting. Elect a secretary. Adopt a format which includes an opening prayer, a preamble, a call for newcomers, and a list of both conference-approved and other literature that will be displayed and used (preferably with the conference-approved and other literature displayed on separate tables). Decide on content for the meetings; e.g.: (1) read from literature and call for discussion; (2) have a speaker talk on a particular topic and call for discussion; (3) invite well-informed speakers to address a topic; (4) study the Big Book; (5) study the Steps; (6) study A.A.’s original Bible basics—Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James--using guides such as the Dick B.'s James Club book; (7) use films and teaching videos already available on A.A. history and the Christian Recovery Movement. Record in writing and have the Secretary sign and keep on hand at meetings the Minutes of the informed group conscience meeting. Contents: Introduction. 1. “Old-School” Christian Recovery; 2. Resources You Should Use for “Old-School” 12-Step Recovery Meetings--from Conference-Approved and Other Resources. 3. Actual Relevant Quotes from Alcoholics Anonymous, The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous & DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers. 4. The Real 7-Point Akron A.A. Program. 5. 16 Key Practices of the Real Akron A.A. Program. 6. “Old-School” A.A. and First Century Christianity. 7. “Old-School” Elements That Can Be Used Today. 8. How to Conduct “Old-School” Recovery Meetings. 9. General Guides to Establishing Study Meetings. 10. Meeting Topics. Conclusion.

Stick with the Winners!: How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena

Health, Fitness & Dieting

B., Ken

Addiction & Recovery

This title tells you about A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob s excellent training in the Good Book as a youngster. It presents an in-depth exploration of the training Dr. Bob received during his boyhood years in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. You will see, from its documented details, that young Bob s major Christian training the training translated into the early A.A. spiritual recovery program in Akron came from his parents, Walter P. and Susan H. Smith; North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury; the Christian Endeavor Society of that church; and the rigorous requirements and studies at the famous St. Johnsbury Academy. The authors traveled to St. Johnsbury; visited principal buildings existing during Bob s youth; interviewed the North Church pastor, the St. Johnsbury Academy archivist and the librarian, people at his boyhood home, and others. Then began their intensive research of the actual records, background books, photos, and communications. The bibliography will help readers to do likewise if they choose. More importantly, this title is a companion to a second volume comprising 20 resource binders and to a large number of books in the newly- founded Dr. Bob Core Library at North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, which houses extensive historical, biographical, educational, Christian, and other books, manuscripts, and photographs.

Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book As a Youngster in Vermont

Dick B.

Ken B.

Religion & Spirituality

Dick B. has long awaited the opportunity to provide a written introduction to the history of Alcoholics Anonymous that could be used by individual Twelve Step people, sponsors, facilitators, therapists, writers, historians, treatment centers, and interested agencies to include a correct 12 Step history in their own programs. And this is the title for just that! There are five major epochs in the spiritual recovery program that is embodied in Alcoholics Anonymous itself. Each is covered in this introduction; and the points here provide an umbrella introduction to the variant sources, attitudes, strains, divergences, and language in programs today. Dick is an ardent sponsor of the idea that any recovery program--12-step, treatment, rehab, individual therapy, para-church, Christ-centered, Christian, and secular--should have a simple, accurate presentation of the historical roots of the 12-step movement. And this short title fits the bill. It is currently being used for the stated purpose.

Introduction to the Sources and Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous

The substantial work contains a much-needed and detailed history guide published in order to to train trainers in the full and concise presentation of an early A.A. history segment as a part of any recovery program. This book details all aspects of the original Akron Christian Fellowship Program as reported by Frank Amos to AAs and to Rockefeller. It highlights and illustrates the distinct difference between that original Akron spiritual program of recovery and the later program fashioned by Bill Wilson from the teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker and for A.A. s basic text (the Big Book). In its carefully documented pages, you will readily see and learn how much the A.A. program changed during the 1940 s in the period of Bill Wilson's deep depression when others stepped up to the plate with their own versions of how to work the recovery program Bill had fashioned in his 1939 basic text. These new entrants included Clarence Snyder, Sister Ignatia, Father Ed Dowling, Richmond Walker, Ed Webster, Father Ralph Pfau, and Father John C. Ford. With the death of Dr. Bob and his wife Anne by 1950, the A.A. fellowship had taken on a totally different hue. And the new approach was codified in Bill Wilson's two books--Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age. Each of the two was thoroughly edited for Bill by the two Jesuit priests, John C. Ford and Ed Dowling. With the new hue came the new structure with conferences, boards, traditions, concepts, warranties, and manuals. And through it all, the viewer can still find in this new Dick B. volume what the original program looked like, where it came from, the revised program of 1939, and the streams of new approaches that came onto the scene thereafter--within the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. This comprehensive historical biography is truly the product of the author's 18 years of researching the A.A. picture.

Real Twelve Step Fellowship History: The Old School A.A. You May Not Know: Training the Trainers

This book provides a simple answer - It is the answer to those in recovery fellowships who wonder what they may and should mention in front of a new member about Almighty God. The simple answer suggested here is: Tell the truth. Pioneer AAs built their house on a rock: the truth in the Good Book; they invented nothing new. They quit drinking and resisted temptation; relied on God; abandoned evil behavior; grew in fellowship with the Father; and reached out in love and service to others still suffering. In Akron and Cleveland, these early AAs attained a documented 75% to 93% success rate among seemingly-hopeless, medically-incurable alcoholics who really tried in moving along their path to establishing a relationship with the Creator. They followed simple principles from the Salvation Army, Christian Endeavor, rescue missions, Oxford Group, and YMCA leaders who charted the course. This book will persuade you that, if you show the child of God these truths today, he'll stick with A.A. and the Steps, ignore idol worship and religious criticism, and bring the truth about the Creator's healings, liberty, forgiveness, and love to the front-line struggles for sobriety and cure in an increasingly doubtful, fear-filled, secularized, unbelieving world. Each ambassador can reach the newcomer and flustered old-timer with truth. With God, nothing is impossible. That certainly includes telling the truth about Him and what He can do for the alcoholic who still suffers.

A New Way In: Reaching the Heart of a Child of God in Recovery with His Own, Powerful, Historical Roots

A biography of A.A. co-founder Bill Wilson, unlike any previously written. It covers his religious experiences and background in family, youth, as well as his subsequent relationships and activities. The substance of the book's beginning is the conversion and cure of alcoholism of Bill's Grandpa Willie in Vermont; the attendance and involvement of Bill's Wilson grandparents and his Griffith grandparents, as well as his own parents, all in the East Congregational Church in East Dorset, Vermont; then Bill's Bible studies, Sunday School attendance, participation in temperance and revival meetings, and his listening to sermons; then to Bill's daily chapel attendance in Burr &amp; Burton Academy where he was also president of the YMCA; then Bill's first love's YWCA participation and her rearing as the child of a Christian minister; then Bill's marriage to Lois Burnham, a Swedenborgian, and his exposure to the Burnham family's religious ideas; then to Bill's three self-described spiritual experiences--in Newport, on the ship Lancaster, and at Westminister Cathetdral; then with Bill's talks with Dr. Silkworth about the healing power of Jesus Christ, the Great Physician; then with Ebby Thacher's decision for Christ and conversion at Calvary Mission and Ebby's explaining to Bill the Dr. Carl Jung theory of conversion as a solution for alcoholism; then Bill's following suit by accepting Christ at the Calvary Rescue Mission altar and proclaiming that he had been born again; then Bill'w trip to Towns Hospital where Bill called on the Great Physician for help and had his "hot flash" conversion experience; then Bill's study of the William James book on conversions and cure of alcoholism in the missions; then Bill's first message that the Lord had been so wonderful curing him of his terrible disease that he just wanted to keep telling others about it; and then the rest of the founding story pertaining to Akron, Sam Shoemaker, and Bill's framing of the Big Book and Twelve Steps. Most of these highly significant historical signposts have previously gone unreported, been distorted, or were just misunderstood. A treasure for those seeking cure of alcoholism is waiting for those who have thought that it was Dr. Bob alone who had the excellent spiritual training as a youngster and who have long been told that Bill had no religious background. And that tale is simply not true. In fact, when one learns of the importance of conversions to Christ in Bill's own family, in Ebby Thacher's mission experience, in Bill's own born again experience at the mission, and his cries for help from the Great Physician, one can hardly leave Bill in the dust heap when he came to belief in the power of God received through conversion to Jesus Christ. This account will surprise you because it seems almost artfully to have been set to one side until recent Wilson biographies began sharing pieces of the puzzle. This book puts the Wilson conversion picture in focus and leaves the puzzle behind.

The Conversion of Bill W.: More on the Creator's Role in Early A.A.

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

For many years, members of church recovery groups, Christian groups, A.A. groups, and study groups have asked for specific guidance as to how to form and lead groups that study the Big Book, the Twelve Steps, the Bible, and A.A. history. In fact, many have now formed groups called The James Club--groups which study the Book of James, the sermon on the mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 just as the early AAs did in their Akron Christian fellowship. This book fits the bill. It tells the reader exactly how, with Big Book, Bible, and A.A. History in hand, to gain a thorough understanding of how and why the early A.A. program was so successful as it focused on surrendering to God, establishing a relationship with Him, studying His Word, and ultimately approving Bill Wilson's actions in writing A.A.'s basic text, the Big Book. If you are pondering, planning, or organizing a Big Book/Bible study group within a Twelve Step fellowship, or within your religious community, or within some kind of treatment or recovery program, this is the book for you. It can and should be combined with a Bible of your choice, a Big Book edition of your choice, and several of Dick B.'s books explaining the relationship of the A.A. recovery program and the Big Book and Twelve Steps to the Bible and early A.A. history. The books that will help are these: (1) The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials. (2) When Early AAs Were Cured and Why. (3) The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible. (4) Real Twelve Step Fellowship History. (5) Twelve Steps for You. All are being used by one or more study groups now being held across the United States and Canada. They have stood the test of use and affirmation. Together, they offer guidance and hope for those seeking recovery through the power of God.

The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook

The story of A.A. co-founder Henrietta Buckler Seiberling, the non-alcoholic Akron woman pioneer who dedicated much of her life to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is the lady who heard from her Creator and revealed to Dr. Bob that he must not take one drink, then arranged for the meeting at which Dr. Bob confessed to his alcoholism, and then led the group in joining Dr. Bob in prayer for Dr. Bob's cure. This is the lady whose prayers were shortly answered when she received a phone call from Bill W. stating that he needed to work with another drunk and understood Bill's "pass it on" orientation from the Oxford Group. She declared that Bill's call was "manna from heaven" and immediately arranged for Bill W. to meet and work with Dr. Bob. The two men met at her Gate Lodge home on the Seiberling estate in Akron, talked for 6 hours, and concluded that they had a mission to carry out--helping others to get sober. Henrietta arranged for Bill to be housed at the Portage Country Club in Akron, and then to move in with Dr. Bob and his wife Anne for the summer of 1935 when the A.A. recovery program ideas were developed. Henrietta continued to be active in the formation and development of A.A. for many years thereafter. And this is the account of her life, her family, and her unique role in establishing Alcoholics Anonymous. You will understand A.A. better and understand the role of the Creator in the founding of the program when you learn what this Ohio lady with a cause was able to do.

Henrietta B. Seiberling: Ohio's Lady with a Cause

Community & Culture

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