Product Description

A long-awaited look at the unsung story of Lois Wilson, wife of the famously anonymous Bill W.

Acclaimed author and screenwriter William G. Borchert does a masterful job in revealing the life and times of this spirited and determined woman, exploring the tender emotional territory beyond Lois’s role in the formation of AA and the subsequent creation of Al-Anon. From her privileged childhood in turn-of-the-century New York City, to her unexpected but exhilarating courtship with the dashing Bill Wilson, to her socialite status as a "Wall Street Wife" in the Roaring Twenties, to the couple’s audacious cross-country motorcycle excursions in the 1930s, Lois was every bit the adventure-seeker her legendary husband was. But nothing could have prepared her for the chaos, pain, and loss caused by her beloved Bill’s seventeen-year descent into the depths of alcoholism. In the end, however, her husband’s addiction proved not to be the tragic undoing of this brilliant, promising couple, but rather the beginning of one of the twentieth century’s most important social movements.

Features a 16-page section of black-and-white archival photographs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #493238 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

About the Author
William G. Borchert was nominated for an Emmy in 1989 for writing the screenplay for the highly acclaimed Warner Brothers/Hallmark Hall of Fame movie My Name Is Bill W. His background includes reporting for a New York City daily newspaper and a major media wire service, writing for a national magazine, and creating syndicated shows for radio. As a partner at Artists Entertainment Complex, Borchert produced several box office hits, including Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon. He lives in New York City and South Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Highly Recommended
Although I know the story of Lois Wilson, Mr Borchert's writing style and intimate knowledge of the Wilson's taught me so much more. The style is easy to read yet sophisticated- for example, when I neared the end, although I know her story and the ending, I stayed up very late one night because it's one of those books you just can't put down until you are done! That's all about the writer's style. The other big plus is Mr. Borchert's many year friendship with Lois and Bill- he knew details that just couldn't be known by looking in archival materials. This gave me new insights into Lois starting Al-Anon Family Groups and how she came to see her illness- I could identify.
thanks for writing this book, so many people just don't get it that Lois Wilson herself was a woman destined for greatness and it took God putting these two together, because without Lois, Bill would've perished long before he started AA. Thanks!!!

A refreshing new history source for all 12 Step people
I was contacted by Hazelden and asked to review and, if possible, endorse this book. Flattered, I nonetheless wondered why they would select an A.A. historian for a book devoted primarily to the woman who founded Al-Anon. However, I reviewed the A.A. portion carefully and thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. It is well written. But I never expected to use it as often as I have in my recent A.A. history titles. We are now blessed to have some 12 biographies of Bill Wilson--some good, some not so good, and some just the usual fluff. But there is so much to learn and report still about Bill's conversion experiences, about his childhood connection with the Congregational Church, and about other elements of particular interest to those of us who are Christians and are seeking to unearth the real elements of the early A.A. Christian fellowship and story. Consequently when I undertook my three most recent AA history titles - A New Way Out, A New Way In, and The Conversion of Bill W. -- I found myself constantly turning to the details this fine author had laid out in the course of telling the story of the wife of A.A.'s founder. I found it to be truthful, carefully researched, and well-written; and I now know I shall be using it frequently as an historical reference resource concerning early A.A. It is not a book that blasts Bill, nor is it a book that fails to convey the difficulties Lois faced. It is a book which helps to show us the real Bill Wilson in relation to the A.A. program of recovery.

Awesome
I identified, I re-felt the pain, I laughed, I cried and felt overwheling gratitude for the lives of Lois and Bill as the writer took me through the unfolding of their lives as the wonderful gift of AA and then Al-Anon emerged. What a gift! Suburbly written.

Anyone, be they a friend, loved one or suffering alcoholic, whose life has been affected by the cunning, baffling, powerful family dis-ease of alcoholism can find hope when reading this book.