AA Book Club

  From William Schaberg's Writing The Big Book, Page 286-287: Bill as the Sole Author Many modern readers have been critical of the writing in this chapter [We Agnostics - Jim B.], so a few word about its composition may be helpful.    Wilson's authorship of the Big Book has been challenged - most famously by himself - but it is clear from everything he writes during this time that, at this point, he was the writer. There is no mention in contemporary records of the much touted collaborative editing process (which did, to some degree, occur later). In fact, all the 1938 evidence supports Bill Wilson as being the sole author of these chapters. His writing was, however, being criticized and critiqued by Hank Parkhurst and Ruth Hock, the two people who were constantly present as he dictated the book at their Honor Dealers office in Newark. In what proved to be a less than fruitful attempt to help with the book, both Ruth and Hank took a semester's worth of shor...

Big Book Promises 📷 The Big Book contains promises in several of the Steps, and in the chapter A Vision For You. These are all promises or predictions of mental, emotional and spiritual changes that will occur in us as we progress through the program of recovery. These can be seen as the stages of a gradual " spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps." The 12 & 12 contains brief summaries of each Step that are similar in nature. 📷 Third Step Promises "When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed. We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we beca...

  Throwback Thursday AA history post - From the Akron Intergroup website, a recording of Bill D., AA Number Three: Bill D,. AA Number Three  

Big Book Topics for meditation, study or use with a sponsee (Read or download Big Book Topics vol 1 and 2 at AABookClub.org): Thunderbolt-Crushed-Smashed We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed. (Page 30) Faced with alcoholic destruction, we soon became as open minded on spiritual matters as we had tried to be on other questions. In this respect alcohol was a great persuader. It finally beat us into a state of reasonableness. (Page 48) Instead of regarding ourselves as intelligent agents, spearheads of God s ever advancing Creation, we agnostics and atheists chose to believe that our human intelligence was the last word, the alpha and the omega, the beginning and end of all. Rather vain of us, wasn't it? (Page 49) When we became alcoholics, crushed by a self-imposed crisis we could not postpone or...

  Saturday AA speaker/history post - A short bio and several talks by Marty Mann, among the first women to get sober in AA:   Marty Mann, Short Bio and Several Talks                

Throwback Thursday AA history post - Jim W. presents on Tom Powers, close friend of Bill, editor of the Twelve and Twelve and found of All Addicts Anonymous: Jim W. on Tom Powers

  A Precursor to Acceptance: It is not wise to become intolerant of conditions that you cannot change; the A.A. program advises you to gain an understanding of God's will. The condition that cannot be changed may be against the will of God. You should not view it with intolerance, but rather direct your time and energy in helpful, constructive activity where satisfactory results are possible. 'God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference.' The Little Red Book, Page 55-56, Step Four

  Throwback Thursday AA history post - Jay S. on Bill W.'s Thirst For Transcendence: Jay S. On Bill W.'s Thirst For Transcendence  

  Thoughts on Tradition Seven from the Shropshire (UK) Intergroup (More HERE ): Short form Every A.A. group ought to be fully self- supporting, declining outside contributions. Long form The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies, that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Tradition Seven Discussion Questions Are we supporting our group through our own contributions? What is a prudent reserve and do we send surplus funds promptly to Intergroup? What is our group money spent on? Could we spend it more wisely? Should we accept money from newcomers or visitors or favours from landlords or suppliers? Does our treasurer report regula...

  AA speaker/history post - A short bio and talk by AA pioneer Archie T.: Short bio and a Talk by Archie T.