AA Book Club

  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. [6th of 6 articles] A NOTED DIVINE REVIEWS “ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS” by ELRICK B. DAVIS November 2, 1939 Cleveland Plain Dealer In a recent series, Mr. Davis told of Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization of former dri...

Fill in the blank of this Big Book passage: "So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness. Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we burst into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past. But why shouldn’t we laugh? We have recovered, and have _______ ." a) to do 90 in 90 b) been given the power to help others c) a good sponsor d) a solid home group (Answer is on page 132)

 Sobriety meme of the week:

  AA literature and history together - read Bill's  1948 Grapevine article on Tradition Eleven: Tradition Eleven Providence has been looking after the public relations of Alcoholics Anonymous. It can scarcely have been otherwise.  Though we are more than a dozen years old, hardly a syllable of criticism or ridicule has ever been spoken of AA. Somehow we have been spared all the pains of medical or religious controversy and we have good friends both wet and dry, right and left. Like most societies, we are sometimes scandalous -- but never yet in public. From all over the world, naught comes but keen sympathy and downright admiration. Our friends of the press and radio have outdone themselves. Anyone can see that we are in a fair way to be spoiled. Our reputation is already so much better than our actual character! Surely these phenomenal blessings must have a deep purpose. Who doubts that this purpose wishes to let every alcoholic in the world know that AA is truly for ...

  "Go to Any Lengths" This phrase and similar ones show the dedication and sense of urgency needed for recovery through our program. Big Book: “If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it, then you are ready to take certain steps.” How It Works “If we haven’t the will to do this [make amends], we ask until it comes. Remember, it was agreed at the beginning we would go to any lengths for victory over alcohol. ” Page 76, Into Action (Steps 8 & 9) “Reminding ourselves that we have decided to go to any lengths to find a spiritual experience, we ask that we be given the strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the personal consequences may be.” Page 79, Into Action (Step 9) Related: "Our drinking has made us slow to pay. We must lose our fear of creditors no matter how far we have to go, for we are liable to drink if we are afraid to face them." Page 78, Into Action, Step Nine “Wait for the end of the sp...