AA Book Club

How the Big Book became less dogmatic and more suggestive: From Writing The Big Book by William Schaberg Chapter 29 Promoting and Editing the Multilith Copy Significant Contributions from Dr. Howard By far the most comprehensive changes to the book were suggested by a man who is identified only as "Dr. Howard," a New Jersey psychiatrist who was given a Multilith Copy to review. After reading it, the doctor was "greatly interested and enthusiastic," but he had a number of significant criticisms to offer. Most especially, he insisted that the tone of the book was far too dogmatic and directive. "His idea," Bill says, "was to remove all forms of coercion, to put our fellowship on a 'we ought' basis instead of a 'you must' basis." Doing so would mean the entire front half of the book would have to be reedited, page-by-page, taking out all of the directions, all of the "yous," all of the "musts" and replacing them ...

Big Book Topics for study, meditation or use with a sponsee (Download a free PDF of Big Book Topics vol 1 and 2 at aabookclub.org): We Have Found Much of Heaven We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. (Page 17) When, therefore, we were approached by those in whom the problem had been solved, there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet. We have found much of heaven and we have been rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which we had not even dreamed. (Page 25) Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems. (Page 42) When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us! (Page 57) As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow ...

Throwback Thursday AA history post - Drew H. on Dr. Bob - Last Man Standing, Co-Founders Lasting Effects on The Shore:  Drew H. on Dr. Bob - Last Man Standing

Throwback Thursday AA history post - Nancy K. on History of Women in Early AA: Nancy K.: History of Women in Early AA

   Faith Without Works Acting on beliefs is held to be essential at certain points in our recovery. This quote from James 2:26 was a favorite of both Bill W. and Anne Smith (see Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers Page 71) Big Book: “Particularly was it imperative that I work with others as he [Ebby] had worked with me. Faith without works was dead, he said.” Page 14, Bill’s Story “Now we need more action, without which we find that “Faith without works is dead.’ Let’s look at Steps Eight and Nine.” Page 76, Into Action, Steps Eight and Nine “But this is not all. There is action and more action. ‘Faith without works is dead.’ The next chapter is entirely devoted to Step Twelve.” Page 88, Into Action Related: "Faith has to work twenty-four hours a day in and through us, or we perish." Page 16, Bill's Story “He may be an example of the truth that faith alone is insufficient. To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self-sacrifice and u...

  Thoughts on Tradition Six from the Shropshire (UK) Intergroup (More HERE ): Short form An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. Long form Problems of money, property, and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim. We think, therefore, that any considerable property of genuine use to A.A. should be separately incorporated and managed, thus dividing the material from the spiritual. An A.A. group, as such, should never go into business. Secondary aids to A.A. such as clubs or hospitals which require much property or administration, ought to be incorporated and so set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely discarded by the groups. Hence such facilities ought not to use the A.A. name. Their management should be the sole responsibility of those people who financially support them. For clubs, A.A. ...