Other Books Written By Dick B. – Books 17 Thru 21

THE BOOKS EARLY AA’s READ FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
(Seventh Edition)

If you would like to know how the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous maintained and grew in the spiritual condition produced by their recovery program, then this book is for you. The author has spent over eight years in travel, research, and interviews discovering the books and other written materials that were studied by members of the highly successful A.A. of the late 1930’s.

Here you will find that their primary sourcebook was the Bible—called by A.A. co-founder, Dr. Bob, “The Good Book.” There is a summary of the immense amount of spiritual literature that Dr. Bob read, recommended, and loaned to the thousands he helped. Anne Ripley Smith, Dr. Bob’s wife, who was called the “Mother of A.A.,” assembled a wide variety of spiritual books that she read, recommended, and interpreted to the early A.A.’s and their families at the Smith home on 855 Ardmore Avenue, Akron, Ohio. A.A.’s other “co-founders” in Akron also did a great amount of reading for spiritual growth. And this title contains the books that Henrietta Seiberling, T. Henry and Clarace Williams, and Clarence S. discussed at the meetings of “the alcoholic squad of the Oxford Group,” as the early AAs called themselves.

In addition, you will find a comprehensive list of the daily Bible devotionals, and the writings of the Oxford Group and of Sam Shoemaker that inspired early AAs. You will also learn of the large amount of other Christian literature of the day that was studied by Bill and Lois Wilson, and the others in their Oxford Group and alcoholic circle of friends and acquaintances. The recollections of Bill Wilson’s secretary, Nell Wing, and of other oldtimers are listed. Without a doubt, this title contains, not only the most recent, but also the most comprehensive report on the spiritual literature that was read and utilized during A.A.’s formative years.

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

How many times have you heard that the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is God-given, was divinely-inspired, or was accurately characterized in the article by a Chicago judge: “Why We Were Chosen?” Or that Bill Wilson was guided by God when he penned the famous “Twelve Steps?” On the other hand, how many times have you heard the expression: “A.A. is spiritual, but not religious?” Or heard that A.A. requires a belief in a “higher power?” Or heard that A.A. is about “not- god-ness?” This book doesn’t address those questions. It is not about the nature of A.A. Nor about the place of the Creator in today’s program. Nor about whether AAs are a chosen bunch. It’s an account of the many ways the Creator seems to have touched the life of Bill W. and, through him, the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Did He impact Bill W.’s life and hence A.A. itself? You will meet a Bill W. you haven’t met in the dozen or so biographies of his life. You’ll look at events in Bill’s life you’ve probably never heard of— whether inside or outside of A.A. You will see how many times Bill seemingly had a conversion or religious experience, whether he called it that or not. You will see how many times religion and church and clergy impacted on Bill’s activities, whether or not he impacted on theirs. You’ll note the details about Bill’s decision for Christ at the Calvary Rescue Mission and his belief he had been born again. You will see the many examples of conversion experiences that Bill might have run across, just following his own “hot flash” experience—the event resulting from his call for help to the “Great Physician” and his vision that he had been in the presence of “the God of the preachers.” Was Bill Wilson converted? Did Bill Wilson become a born-again Christian? Did Bill Wilson truly believe in the one, true, living God? Were all of Bill’s frequent references to Almighty God a manifestation of what he really believed? God knows the answers. They’re His special province. Not mine. But you will have the opportunity to focus on a new question about the part our Creator may really have played in the life of Bill Wilson and in the worldwide Fellowship which began in Akron in 1935 and of which Bill was a co-founder.

THE FIRST NATIONWIDE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS HISTORY CONFERENCE

For the first time in decades, a nationwide A.A. History Conference was convened in Phoenix with A.A. writer, historian, retired attorney, recovered A.A., and Bible student Dick B. as the principal presenter. He was joined by Bob S., son of A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob, and by Ray G., archivist at Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron “where it all began.”

The author covered several of the least-discussed topics in present-day 12 Step fellowships. First, came the conference theme topic–God, Alcoholism, and A.A. With it, came a review of miraculous cures by the power of God, as related in the Old Testament, the Gospels, the Book of Acts, the apostolic days, the religious healers through the ages, the faith healings in the Missions, the Salvation Army, the Keswick movement, and in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Next, the spiritual beginnings of A.A., highlighting the Christian Endeavor/Bible/Dr. Bob Roots in Akron, and the Sam Shoemaker/Oxford Group/Bill W. Roots in New York. Then, a detailed review of the 7 point program of early Akron A.A.–which produced astonishing successes. Then, how the Akron Pioneer Program was actually conducted by the pioneer 40 members. Next, the three Bible roots of A.A. (the Book of James, Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13). These were stated by Dr. Bob to be “absolutely essential in the early program. Next, the specific ideas Bill Wilson took from the books, sermons, and writings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker at the New York Scene. And finally, a challenge showing what reliance on the Creator can still do for alcoholics and addicts that was accomplished by them in their cures in early A.A.

This powerful review of the cures, divine aid, Bible basics, and God-centered elements of early A.A. tells it all, from an historical standpoint. Tells it as it has never been told before to an audience of AAs and their families–hungry for the details of how it really worked in pioneer days. And why!

THE GOLDEN TEXT OF A.A.
Early A.A., God, and Real Spirituality
(Wilson House Series #2)

Each year, the managers of The Wilson House in East Dorset, Vermont, have invited author Dick B. to present a weekend seminar on some facet of early A.A.’s historical roots in the Bible. The Wilson House is the birthplace of A.A. co-founder Bill Wilson, the location of his final resting place, and the owner of Griffith House Library, where all of Dick’s titles can be seen and studied. The Griffith House has also acquired a large segment of the 23,900 historical items Dick has collected in his eleven years of research and used in the publication of his writings.

The Golden Text of A.A. is not just the title of one of Dick’s seminars, nor the title of this particular book. It is a phrase taken from page 191 of the Third Edition of A.A.’s basic textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous. The phrase epitomizes A.A., its reliance on our Creator, and its simple formula for success–as the first three AAs saw the picture. The three were Bill Wilson, co-founder, and erstwhile stockbroker; Dr. Bob Smith, co-founder, and physician; and Bill Dotson, who was called A.A. Number Three. The trio gave God the credit for their cure. They felt compelled to tell others about the Creator’s power. And Dr. Bob capped it off by saying in his story in the Big Book: “Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!” (p. 181).

This book tells you what the A.A. pioneers thought about God Almighty: They believed in Him. They understood who God is. He was not some ill-defined “higher power.” They used biblical words to describe Him. And only when a few entertained some fear of being “God-bitten” did compromise and dilution begin. Originally, willing unbelievers came to believe in God; and they believed that, when sought, God heals.

Their path to a relationship to God was based on coming to Him through Jesus Christ. They sought to do God’s will. They were rewarded for their reliance by being healed. They adopted yardsticks from the Bible by which they could conduct their lives. And they formulated and preached a simple message much like that in the Gospels and the Book of Acts.
You will learn the golden text they adopted. You will see that they had received the power of God they so earnestly sought. You will be given proof that they gave God the glory and then expressed their gratitude by deed and word. There is a plea for willing believers to seek healing today through God. Readers are reminded that “self-help” does not cut it; that medical and psychological help have not cut it; and that four early factors provide a solution today: A fellowship of those needing help. A healing and cure by God Almighty. A program that changes lives. And a message of victory to carry.

Vague expressions like “spirituality” were simmered to their essence in early A.A. and simply meant reliance upon the Creator and a life based on love and service as Bill and Bob put it.

THE GOOD BOOK AND THE BIG BOOK
A.A.’s Roots in the Bible
(Second Edition)

An astounding seventy-five to ninety-three percent of the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous recovered from their seemingly hopeless diseases of alcoholism. They did it by relying on God and by basing their relationship with Him on the principles of the Bible. This comprehensive history discusses the biblical sources from which A.A.’s founders said they obtained their recovery ideas—focusing particularly on the Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. For many A.A.s, the Bible was a standard of truth upon which they could depend for the power and guidance that they needed in their lives. Author Dick B.—an active, recovered member of A.A., a bible student, and a sponsor of over seventy men in their recovery—here shows how a knowledge of A.A.’s Good Book roots can be used effectively to produce a high recovery rate in today’s Twelve Step programs.

THE PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE GOOD BOOK TITLE

Dick B. wrote The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible to provide an accurate, comprehensive statement of the basic ideas and principles early AAs took from the Bible as they were developing their spiritual program of recovery and later the Big Book and the Twelve Steps. This title by Dick has stood the test of time. It is much in demand. It is now used in counselor training, Salvation Army programs, A.A. meetings, spiritual retreats for AAs and their families, and in seminars and programs for people in recovery, whether in A.A., Al-Anon, or such groups as Overcomers and Alcoholics Victorious.

Foreword by Bob Smith, Son of A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob and his wife, Anne.