Bobs story we experience the early heart of aa and we understand why it grew to be the powerful force it did. What youll get out of this book is a complete history of the whys and wheres of aa, explaining, in great detail, the painstaking measures one man took to bring aa to the world. The play has now been translated to spanish creating the opportunity for a bilingual tour. The big book was originally published in 1939 by bill w. Wilson is cofounder of alcoholics anonymous, a man included in time magazines 100 persons of the 20th century. It took four years to get the first 100 participants sober in the first three groups that formed in akron, new york, and cleveland. People have asked for years if this new york city production of bill w. Subsequently, the history of alcoholics anonymous aa has been documented in books, movies, and aa literature. Alcoholics anonymous aa was founded in 1935 by bill wilson known as bill w. Bob s story we experience the early heart of aa and we understand why it grew to be the powerful force it did. Aa big book covers leather big book covers vinyl big book. In fighting his own battle against drinking, he had already learned that helping other people with alcoholism was the key to maintaining his own sobriety, the principle that would later become step 12 in the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous. Indianapolis colts owner jim irsay bought the big book, written by aa founder william bill w. Bobs home, excerpts from the aa grapevine, and his own private collection to offer this multimedia retrospective.
Bob oops, evangelical protestants dont do that, now do they, but you know what i mean. Please improve this by adding secondary or tertiary sources. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book is a. Bob smiths last drinka soothing warm beer handed to him by bill w. A documentary about bill wilson, the cofounder of alcoholics anonymous. With james woods, jobeth williams, james garner, gary sinise. He joined a spiritual movement group, the oxford group, that had its roots in christianity and was very influential in the early development of aa. Following aas twelfth tradition of anonymity, wilson is commonly known as bill w. It is considered one of the most influential tomes in u.
At one time, this name was suggested just to indicate the authorship of the book. At one time, this name was suggested just to indicate the authorship of the. This book includes so many details of what was happening behind the. I await with anticipation for your part two, which no doubt shall shed more light on this aspect of how bill and dr.
Bob left and formed their own oxford group, called alcoholics anonymous, where they brought all their teachings with them. Bob, was an american physician and surgeon who cofounded alcoholics anonymous with bill wilson, more commonly known as bill w. Aa history is being rewritten in some quarters to demonize bill and to canonize dr. This film reconstructs the true story of stockbroker william griffith wilson, a world war i veteran whose small drinking problem becomes a serious addiction after he loses his fortune in the stock market collapse of 1929.
Virtually everyone agrees that aa started with bill wilsons own drinking problem, and bill had his last drink on december 11, 1934. Box 459, grand central station new york, ny 10163 website. Together they founded the alcoholics anonymous aa fellowship. The cofounder of alcoholics anonymous aa believed lsd could be used to cure alcoholics and credited the drug with helping his own recovery from often debilitating depression, according to new. Smith, robert holbrook 18791950 worldcat identities. This article relies too much on references to primary sources. The 12 step program is a gift of the higher power to humankind, and one sees the humility of dr. Bob had each been in contact with the oxford group, a mostly nonalcoholic fellowship that emphasized universal spiritual values. Bob is a play written by stephen bergman and janet surrey, published by. Bob was sober a few months less than three years, and the other 100.
Aas cofounders tell their stories by fitzpatrick, michael and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Father dowling was bills friend and spiritual advisor. Francis hartigan, the former secretary and confidant to lois wilson, on pages 1789 of his biography, bill w. Shem and surrey have developed a startlingly emotional and dramatic script. In the oxford group, the steps were used to cure sin. With extensive contributions by and about the founders of alcoholics anonymous, william griffith wilson and his wife lois bill w. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, eleventh printing 1947 big book. Aas cofounders tell their stories fitzpatrick, michael on. Yet the official founding date of alcoholics anonymous is june 10, 1935, the day of dr. Bob s residence in akron, the two men began helping other individuals with alcoholism, one person at a time. This play was produced offbroadway from 202014 in 251 shows in front.
Bob is a truly fascinating american story that should be seen by a wide audience. Four years later, they published the book alcoholics. Father dowling was bill s friend and spiritual advisor. In the early days of aa the members struggled to discern the next step forward. Robert holbrook smith august 8, 1879 november 16, 1950, also known as dr. It was there that he met the other cofounder of aa, dr. During a business trip to ohio, he found himself standing in the lobby of a hotel, craving a drink. Interviews, recreations, and rare archival material reveal how bill wilson, a hopeless drunk near death from his alcoholism, found a way out of his own addiction and then forged a path for countless others to follow. Mar 30, 2014 aa history is being rewritten in some quarters to demonize bill and to canonize dr. Bob smith, birth name robert holbrook conducted the first alcoholics anonymous or aa group. There has been a series of reprints and revisions, as well as. People do recover from the disease of alcoholism by working a 12 step12 tradition aa program, as founded by bill w and dr bob. Also available as an ebook available to purchase from your favorite ebook retailer. The big book alcoholics anonymous outlines how it works.
Bob, a play about the founding of alcoholics anonymous, is presented by the hazelden treatment center, but is 99 percent preachinessfree. May 18, 2012 directed by dan carracino, kevin hanlon. Bob smith were the founders of alcoholics anonymous in 1935. Father ed dowling aa bill wilson alcoholics anonymous. Signed alcoholics anonymous books and aa material for sale. This history begins with the groups early struggles and continues through its worldwide growth.
Lsd could help alcoholics stop drinking, aa founder believed. Aa download mp3 all tracks as a zip file 310 mb dr. A brief history of the big book alcoholics anonymous. Bill wilson loved aa and he believed in it with every fiber in his body. Bob meet accidentally, and a series of completely chance incidents eventually lead to the creation of aa.
Big book, 12x12 and medallion shown here sold separately. The first two chapters were completed by june 1938, when bill sent bob a letter asking, what would you think about the formation of a charitable organization called, say, alcoholics anonymous. William griffith wilson, also known as bill wilson or bill w. Bill w and dr bob abebooks abebooks shop for books. Bob was sober a few months less than three years, and the other 100 early members who contributed in one way or another to the writing of the. July 2011 learn how and when to remove this template message.
May 10, 2015 francis hartigan, the former secretary and confidant to lois wilson, on pages 1789 of his biography, bill w. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. For use with the regular hardcover editions of both books. William griffith wilson november 26, 1895 january 24, 1971, also known as bill wilson or bill w. In the summer of 1935 bill w aka bill wilson and dr. The 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous are taken directly from the teachings of the oxford group. Aa historian and archivist michael fitzpatrick used his research conducted at. Aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with about 2 million members worldwide belonging to approximately 10,000 groups, associations, organizations, cooperatives, and fellowships of alcoholics helping other alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety. Nov 06, 2012 the 12 step program is a gift of the higher power to humankind, and one sees the humility of dr. Bill wilson, led to his own permanent sobriety and. Simpson was just an exfootball player, a commentator, and a car rental spokesperson. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies.
Whenever a civilization or society declines or perishes there is always one condition present. Mar 30, 2020 development of the alcoholics anonymous big book. Bobs residence in akron, the two men began helping other individuals with alcoholism, one person at a time. Book provides detailshistory behind movement, step development and original players involved with bill w and the oxford group. Bob smith, who founded alcoholics anonymous, were also the original sponsor and sponsoree of the group. Best of bill soft cover books aa grapevine online store. Bob and anne smith archives joined several other collections already housed at brown including the kirk collection 15,000 items pertaining to the temperance movement and early a. Aa historian and archivist michael fitzpatrick used his research conducted at stepping stones the former home of bill w. Bill and bob began working with other alcoholics, helping them achieve sobriety one day at a time. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. Wilson was a member of the oxford group, a christian outreach program begun by an american missionary.
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