AA Book Club

Throwback Thursday AA history post: Timelines in AA History – 1941 To 1943 Many heartfelt thanks go out to  Archie M.  of Tennessee, who did much research in order to compile this “Timelines in AA History” and to Arthur S., Northeast Texas Area Archives, who has built upon Archie M’s original Timeline file. 1941  -Wilson’s buy & move home [Stepping Stones], rural area New York State; Ernie G. A.A. #4 marries Dr. Bob’s daughter Sue; Bill looking work, early gives up; fellowship likened noisy robust infant, midst terrible 2’s; Vi S. & husband Freddie S. Cleveland join A.A.; Serenity Prayer brought Ruth Hock’s attention; 1st professional intervention Charity Hospital, Dr. Harry Nash complied with junior assistant Dr. Victor D. Ippolito operating room not operate; Alcoholics Anonymous established American institution; started year 2,000 members end 8,000 due Saturday Evening Post Article Jack Alexander article; groups began send contributions Alcoholic Foundation  ( A  87, 94, 134,

Tuesday AA literature/history post - Bill Schaberg, author of Writing the Big Book, presents on Chapter 2 "There is a Solution":  Bill Schaberg on "There is a Solution"

Throwback Thursday AA history post - Ruth Hock, AA's first secretary, on her experiences (via prestongroup.org): Ruth Hock's Recollections

Tuesday AA literature/history post - Lyn S., author of On What Slender Threads, presents on Tradition Nine from a Historical Perspective: Lyn S - Tradition Nine from a Historical Perspective

  Saturday AA speaker/history post - Dr. Bob's last talk at the 1950 AA Convention:

Throwback Thursday AA history post - The six articles published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer in late 1939 led to tremendous growth in Cleveland's AA Group #3, but also got Clarence kicked out: That fall Clarence smuggled freelance reporter Elrick Davis into meetings of that first Greater Cleveland group and Mr. Davis wrote a series of articles on A.A. which were published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. This resulted in over 500 calls for help to be tended by the only 13 active members... Many members were upset by this workload and by the surreptitious manner in which it was done. So they voted Clarence out of A.A. (which was something that could be done at the time).   (aa.cle.org) Reprinted from the October 23, 1939, Cleveland Plain Dealer with permission. [5th of 6 articles] Alcoholics Anonymous Makes Its Stand Here by ELRICK B. DAVIS October 26, 1939 Cleveland Plain Dealer In previous installments, Mr. Davis has told of Alcoholics Anonymous, an informal society of drinking men

Tuesday AA literature post - From our online study guide at AABookClub.org, two big book topics for meditation, study or use with a sponsee: How Long Does It Take To Be A Saint? Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can’t go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. (Page 60) Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us. (Page 77) We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. W