AA Book Club

  From AA and the Books of James, an original work examining the Big Book and two sources that helped inspire it: "Few pieces of outside spiritual literature have been as influential on AA and its Founders as William James’ 1902 book Varieties of Religious Experience and the New Testament Book of James. William James is the only outside literature explicitly cited in the Big Book, and a key phrase from the Book of James is used there. Bill W. and Dr. Bob were exposed to both books early in their quests for sobriety, and their impact on A.A.’s program of action can be seen in its primary text. We shall be looking at the role of these books in the personal stories of AA’s founders first, then the influence they had on the Big Book and AA’s program of action." Free downloadable PDF available at these links:  AA and the Books of James  or  AA and the Books of James More original studies of AA literature at   AABookClub.org   (Alternate site:  AABookClub.wi...

  Sobriety Meme of the Week:

Did you know that AA had a service structure before the Big Book and a formal program of recovery? The Big Book was written in late 1938 and early 1939, and published on April 10, 1939. But the Alcoholic Foundation (precursor to the General Service Organization) was already in place.

  Fill in the blank of this Big Book passage: "Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as ___________ . It works when other activities fail." a) doing 90 in 90 b) intensive work with other alcoholics c) multiple service positions d) going to AA conventions (Answer is on Page 89)

  Sobriety Meme of the Week:

  AA literature and history together - Read Bill W.'s 1948 Grapevine article on Tradition Seven: Tradition Seven Our growth continuing, the combined income of Alcoholics Anonymous members will soon reach the astounding total of a quarter of a billion dollars yearly. This is the direct result of AA membership. Sober we now have it; drunk we would not.    By contrast, our overall AA expenses are trifling.     For instance, the  AA General Service Office now costs us $1.50  per member a year. As a fact, the New York office asks the groups  for this sum twice a year because not all of them contribute. Even so,  the sum per member is exceedingly small. If an AA happens to live in  a large metropolitan center where an intergroup office is absolutely  essential to handle heavy inquiries and hospital arrangements, he  contributes (or probably should contribute) about $5.00 annually. To  pay the rent of his own group m...

  Big Book topics for study, meditation or use with a sponsee (from our online AA literature study guide at AABookClub.org ): The Heart's Deepest Longing But the ex-problem drinker who has found this solution, who is properly armed with facts about himself, can generally win the entire confidence of another alcoholic in a few hours. Until such an understanding is reached, little or nothing can be accomplished. That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about, that his whole deportment shouts at the new prospect that he is a man with a real answer, that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou, nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful; that there are no fees to pay, no axes to grind, no people to please, no lectures to be endured these are the conditions we have found most effective. After such an approach many take up their beds and walk again. (Page 18-19) When, therefore, we were appro...