The most exhaustive bibliography (with brief summaries) of all the books known to have been read and recommended for spiritual growth by early AAs in Akron and on the East Coast.
One of the earliest and most valuable discoveries by author Dick B. in his search for the facts about the early A.A. program, which had such great successes, was the many, varied, and important Christian and other books read, studied, and circulated by A.A. Cofounder Dr. Bob among early AAs and their families. These are of great importance and utility today if you are to be healed of alcoholism. They cover the Bible, Jesus Christ, prayer, healing, alcoholism, daily devotions, Quiet Time, the Oxford Group, Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, conversion, and other relevant religious topics. Dick discovered the books in the homes of Dr. Bob's children, read and analyzed and categorized them, and placed them in this title. Other books were mentioned elsewhere as having been read and circulated by Dr. Bob, and are included.
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.
The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible is the most popular of Dick B.'s 42 titles. It traces the precise A.A. Big Book and 12 Step language that came from the Bible. Christians and AAs alike acclaim this title's thorough review of early A.A. sources showing the Bible's role in A.A.'s recovery ideas. This book demonstrates how God helps alcoholics recover if they want His help.
Dick B., as A.A.'s leading historian, is particularly qualified to write on this Clarence Snyder subject. First, he read the Clarence Snyder materials. Second, he met a number of Snyder sponsees at the Snyder spiritual retreats where he was invited to speak. Third, he worked with and partially edited the How It Worked book by Clarence Snyder sponsee Mitch K., Fourth, Dick and his son spent a week with Clarence's widow Grace gathering information about Clarence, Grace, and A.A. Finally, Dick was later asked by three old-timer Clarence Snyder sponsees to compile and edit their A.A. Legacy based on Snyder's teachings, techniques, beliefs, and their successes. Dick has published 33 history titles in all to date.
Intended for use by recovery newcomers, educational and religious alcoholism programs, recovery groups and treatment centers, and substance abuse agencies. Here, for the first time, is a simple, accurate, concise statement of the origins, trends, changes, and detours leading up to, involved in, and evolving from A.A.'s Big Book and Twelve Step spiritual program of recovery. A must for introducing the A.A./12 Step subject usefully
This book traces A.A.'s "real" Bible-based pioneer program. It highlights the early view that relief from alcoholism and addictions can be obtained, and a cure received, by turning to God. The author discloses his own recovery and deliverance within the rooms of A.A. and applauds the great and unique role of the society during the 20th Century.
The author Dick B. is an active, recovered A.A. member who has sponsored more than 100 men in their recovery. He is a writer, historian, Bible student, and Retired attorney. He has published 30 titles, 160 articles, and 60 audio talks on the subject of A.A. history and has traveled throughout the U.S. doing his research and gathering historical evidence. He is widely sought as a speaker at history conferences, recovery seminars, and Christian recovery group meetings.
Dick B. is a writer, historian, Bible student, retired attorney, and active recovered member of A.A. He and his son Ken devoted many years to researching the role, life, writings, and contributions of Rev.Samuel M. Shoemaker to Alcoholics Anonymous. The quest took Dick B. to Shoemaker's churches in Pittsburgh and New York, to the Episcopal Church Archives in Austin, Texas, to Hartford Seminary, to Princeton University, and to the family and friends of this great Episcopal rector and preacher. In all, Dick B. has published 33 books on the history of early A.A.
The story of A.A.'s birth at Dr. Bob's Home in Akron on June 10, 1935. It tells what early AAs did in their meetings, homes, and hospital visits; what they read; and how their ideas developed from the Bible, the Oxford Group, and Christian literature. It depicts the roles of A.A. founders and their wives, and of Henrietta Seiberling, and T. Henry & Clarace Williams. Foreword by John F. Seiberling Finally--a history that ties together the events in New York and Akron during A.A.'s formative years from 1931-1939. It tells of the Bud Firestone Miracle and the 1933 Oxford Group events in Akron. Then of the early meetings in New York and Akron. It details the specific contributions to A.A. that T. Henry and Clarace Williams, Henrietta Seiberling, Bill Wilson, and Dr. Bob and Anne Smith made at A.A.'s Akron birthplace. It covers the when, where and how of A.A.'s birth. There are details as to surrenders, hospitalization, meetings, literature, Bible study and prayer and meditation, and what the Akron people did in their homes. And there are precise traces from the Bible, the Four Absolutes, Christian writers, and the Oxford Group into the Twelve Steps and the Big Book. This book is about what Akron gave to A.A. and what A.A. can attribute to its Akron birthplace.