A Recovery Leader Tells His Discovery of
First Edition A.A. Big Book Values
Dick B.
© 2013 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Paul R. of Tucson, Arizona,
has—as a businessman—nonetheless devoted months and months to getting his hands
around the early Akron A.A. history and recovery model. He’s now in process of
organizing two workshop conferences in Tucson and Phoenix for next October. In
so doing, he’s also formulating some huge outreach for his Arch Builders
approach that thoroughly encompasses the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book and the
Bible from which its ideas were taken. Just recently, Paul was on a plane to
New York and studied the latest educative work we have done on the First
Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Not long ago, Dover Publications phoned me, on
recommendation of the Wilson House manager, and said they were reprinting the
First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. They asked me to write an introduction.
And I did so—27 pages of explanatory information, particularly highlighting the
contents and importance of the almost forgotten personal stories of the pioneer
A.A.’s that were included in the First Edition and then, piece by piece,
removed. The surprise to me and to Paul was how much of the evidence and
testimony about how early Akron A.A. worked was removed from view with the
personal stories.
Here is the new book, to which Paul refers: Alcoholics Anonymous “THE BIG BOOK” Original
First Edition Bill W.: With a New Introduction by DICK B. (Mineola, NY:
Dover Publications, Inc., 2011). And
here is the unsolicited letter just sent to Paul’s friends and to me.
“Hi friends,
I just got off plane in NYC. Spent most of trip reading Dick
B.'s foreword and then the original
stories at the back for the first edition Big Book Dover edition. If you do not
have a copy of the first edition, I urge you to get one. We will be buying
copies for the FOBF [Friends of Bill’s Friends] Sunday meeting and the
Archbuilders meeting on Saturday to have on hand.
I mistakenly thought that there were only sporadic citations
throughout the stories regarding the identity of the "one who has all
power" and the use of the Bible, and the fact that the solution is a
relationship with God..a personal experience of Him....but I was wrong. Such
citations occur throughout, and a couple of very great quotes include one story
speaking of the three Christian
recovered drunks(Bill Bob and Bill #2 I think?) that approached the
story's author, another story that the
recovered drunks in NYC circa 1938 achieved that status by following the
"cardinal teachings of Jesus Christ
to keep them sober," another story mentioning that the "Foundation
Stone" of the new fellowship was Love others by following Christ's teaching to "love your neighbor
as yourself," another story citing the Gospel of Paul extensively, and
another citing the quotation by Herbert Spenser about contempt prior to
investigation which was extracted from this story to appear in the appendix on
Spiritual Experiences in later editions....and too many quotes to list about
daily Bible reading and some of the
scriptural meditation guides they used.
This IS The Path in
the statement, "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly
followed out path". This is Christ's path to sobriety as a benefit of true salvation . Awesome. Obvious why they mostly all stayed sober. It can be
that way again.
PS: Another couple of things that popped out for me about
the original stories is that they almost all mention Dr Bob, and they almost
all describe their interaction with the fellowship at the time that numerous of
the recovered drunks (sometimes 20 or more) were visiting them, putting them up
at their house, whatever it took....going to any length to help the new guy or still
suffering guy. Very prevalent theme. They did not just go to a meeting a couple
times a week.
Very great stuff. Please get the book...and read it...don't
delay like I did!
God Bless
Paul R.
________________________________________
From: paul r
To: Donnie S….. Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2013 10:34 AM
Subject: Re: Five Smooth Stones Redux
Nice work Donnie. Wish I could be there. I am on plane to
NYC. God Bless and sounds like a great meeting in store tonight.
Paul R
________________________________________
From: Donnie
Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2013 10:30 PM
Subject: Five Smooth Stones Redux
Hey Everyone:
Sorry to get this out so late, but I had computer issues
yesterday! I thought we might move on
from our exploration of Steps 6-12 and over to some ideas intrinsic to steps
1-3...and our daily surrender.
Specifically, trusting in God and stepping out in faith in our recovery,
and in living our lives.
To that end, I've included a short piece which has a
"Good Book/Big Book" viewpoint regarding this. Read and enjoy and perhaps we can use part of
it as our reading this Sunday. Have a
great evening and I hope to see everyone tomorrow.
Thanks-Donnie
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