This title tells you about A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob's "excellent training" in the "Good Book" as "a youngster." It presents an... More > 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. < Less

The first complete, detailed study of what the early A.A. pioneers in Akron read in, borrowed from, and applied with the... More > Bible's Book of James, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew Chapters 5, 6, and 7), and 1 Corinthians 13. The pioneers explicitly stated that they believed the answer to their problems was in the Good Book. The foregoing three parts of the Bible were considered by them to be "absolutely essential" to their spiritual recovery program. To the extent, in fact, that many AAs wanted to call their fellowship "The James Club." Included also in this title are five invaluable appendices showing where the original program came from, how it was practiced, how it different from Bill W.'s Big Book program, and where Yahweh the Creator fitted into the picture. < Less

Specially prepared by historian Dick B. as a guide to study groups, recovery programs, sponsors, and individual AAs who want... More > to use the strong points of the A.A. Fellowship, Big Book, and Twelve Steps in conjunction with those vital tools the early AAs took from the Bible and used to achieve their remarkable healings and cures. A practical "how to." It begins with the newcomer's beginnings and the appropriate interview, qualification, identification, hospitalization, and launching out with the "absolute essentials" from the Bible's Book of James, Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13. < Less

An astounding seventy-five to ninety-three percent of the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous recovered from their... More > 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. < Less

Dick B.'s 11 years of historical research have jump-started this compelling new theme: Take a specific look at Pioneer... More > A.A.'s God-centered program in Akron. Then, at why they had to rely on the Creator. Then at what A.A. really spawned in the 20th Century, at the "nonsense gods" that have diverted this society from its primary purpose, and at the even greater need for help from God Almighty on the recovery scene today to restore success and assure a return to sound, faith-based, non-profit recovery. < Less

A unique emphasis on tuning the Christian newcomer in toward those roots, principles, and practices which were part and... More > parcel of the original A. A. Christian Fellowship Program in Akron . This to the end that the newcomer and even the old timer Christians will feel comfortable and challenged staying IN the A.A. fellowship, remaining solid in their own religious convictions, buttressed by the knowledge of what the pioneers did with such great success, and simply refusing to be intimidated or persuaded by the idolatry, spirituality, and weird “higher power” chatter abounding in today’s recovery movement. The old-time evangelists like Bill y Sunday and Dwight Moody contended: “The saved should say so.” Similarly, the saved in today’s A.A. Fellowship should stand unfettered by those who intolerantly reject this or that religious belief and argue for a godless unbelieving fellowship. < Less

The most exhaustive bibliography (with brief summaries) of all the books known to have been read and recommended for... More > spiritual growth by early AAs in Akron and on the East Coast. < Less

This guide details how the early AAs conducted their recovery program and placed their reliance upon our Creator. It then... More > answers questions as to how and in what form similar meetings can be held today. It shows such meetings are consistent with A.A.'s Traditions. < Less

A comprehensive history and analysis of the all-but-forgotten specific contributions to A.A. spiritual principles and... More > practices by New York's famous Episcopal preacher, the Rev. Dr. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr. --dubbed by Bill W. as a "co-founder" of A.A. and credited by Bill as the well-spring of A.A.'s spiritual recovery ideas. < Less

Dick B.'s 11 years of historical research have jump-started this compelling new theme: Take a specific look at Pioneer... More > A.A.'s God-centered program in Akron. Then, at why they had to rely on the Creator. Then at what A.A. really spawned in the 20th Century, at the "nonsense gods" that have diverted this society from its primary purpose, and at the even greater need for help from God Almighty on the recovery scene today to restore success and assure a return to sound, faith-based, non-profit recovery. < Less