Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1932496 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-01
• Released on: 2006-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 174 pages

About the Author
Dick B. is a writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, and active recovered member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He holds Doctor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Stanford University and an A.A. degree from the University of California (Berkeley) with Honorable Mention. He was both Case and Legislation Editor of the Stanford Law Review and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his Junior Year at the University of California. He practiced law in San Francisco and in Marin County, California for thirty-six years before he was felled by alcoholism and entered the A.A. fellowship in April of 1986. He has been continuously free from drink and pill addiction since that time and has sponsored over 100 men in their recovery. He has published thirty-two titles on the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, particularly the sources, roots, principles, practices, and successes of the early A.A. Christian Fellowship in Akron. He has also published over 180 articles on the subject and is a widely-sought speaker at A.A. history conferences, A.A. meetings international conferences of related fellowships, professional groups, and organizations dealing with substance abuse and addiction solutions. The author uses the pen name Dick B. to conform to A.A. traditions of anonymity and, in that capacity, speaks on radio, podcasts, blogs, forums, and TV programs. His materials also appear on four websites he maintains. His writing, and speaking cover all of A.A. s varied and diverse well-springs. These include the Bible, Quiet Time, Christian Endeavor, the YMCA, the Salvation Army, Gospel rescue missions, conversion, the Oxford Group, the teachings of Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr., and the works of Professor William James, Dr. Carl Gustav Jung, Dr. William D. Silkworth, Emmet Fox (and other New Thought movement leaders), lay therapist Richard Peabody, the journal of Anne Ripley Smith (wife of A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob Smith), and literature read and recommended by Dr. Bob and other A.A. pioneers. He has a number of works in progress and is available for speaking at forums, panels, seminars, and media presentations. He was born in Stockton, California, in 1925.

Customer Reviews

A Marine Vet Learns from History and Doesn't Reject the Lesson
I'm a Marine Vet. When I'm ill or injured, I look to the medics and the doctor for cure, and if not cure, then the finest repair available. And I ask my Heavenly Father for help along the way, forgiveness for sins, guidance toward victory, and help in obeying His will. I found, from this book, that early A.A. was no different. There is the history you hear; and then there's the vast amount of history that has awaited discovery, reporting, and dissemination. You don't know A.A. or the Twelve Steps, I believe, until you establish a relationship with God and look to Him for your rescue. That's what the early pioneers did. That's what this book shows. And this book tells you about the real, strong believing that accompanied the lives of founders Bill and Bob when they sought it and stood on it. Then came the great compromise in the Big Book. They dumped the Bible. They dumped the Christian references. And they introduced the idea that you could not be cured, could believe in some strange higher power, and that the program was spiritual but not religious. I found that Bill Wilson then slumped into more than a decade of depression. And others had a field day with new concepts. They were Richmond Walker, Father Ralph Pfau, Ed Webster, and finally the two priests who edited Bill's belated Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and A.A. Comes of Age. Suddenly, your "higher power" could be A.A. itself--whatever that meant. And later A.A. literature was talking about believing in "Something," or "Somebody," or "nothing at all." That's all well and good. But this Marine turns to Almighty God when he comes under fire. And that's what early AAs did before others began compromising. God is the same. History has not changed. Victory and cure are still available. The key is learning it, realizing it worked, and applying it the "old school way."

The Latest Specific Guide to Adding a History Segment to Every Recovery Program
I've been in Maui on the production line during the closing days of this new "Training the Trainers" guide by Dick B. He devoted an immense amount of time to laying out in full the history and details of the original A.A. Program developed in Akron. Dick's new book begins with a summary of the healing records by God throughout the ages. Then he turns to explicit details that put to shame the still-prevailing idea that Akron A.A. was Oxford Group A.A. The Akron program borrowed its abstinence ideas from the Salvation Army and the Rescue Missions. It borrowed its hospitalization ideas from Dr.Bob's own understanding of withdrawal problems and Bill's beginnings at Towns Hospital in New York. It then insisted on belief in God--certainly not unique to the Oxford Group, and a surrender to Jesus Christ as Saviour--which bore no resemblance to Oxford Group dogma. Instead, it followed the lead of Dr. Bob's Christian Endeavor Society where Confession of Christ was the starting point; and it adopted the approach of salvation that was a vital part of the Salvation Army and the Rescue Missions. The remainder of the Akron program principles and practices - conversions, Bible study, prayer, Quiet Hour, reading of Christian literature, and espousing love and service were direct parts of the 3,500,000 membership practices found in the United Christian Endeavor Society of Dr.Bob's youth. The book treats the leaders, facilitators, and sponsors who want to know how to approach history with a study of James, the Sermon on the Mount, and Corinthians which were foundational in early A.A. and suggests that these key Good Book teachings be revitalized. It shows the completely different origin of the New York program from Dr. Carl Jung's conversion thesis to Bill Wilson's focus and eventual adoption of most of the 28 Oxford Group principles that did impact A.A. This fresh, carefully researched and documented new book for teachers and students alike can change your program approach, a part of your program content, and your frustration over failing success rates. It's good. It's topical. It's practical. And its approach is being used more and more by study groups and Christian/AA treatment approaches.