Dick B.'s second great discovery concerned the contents of the spiritual journal that Anne Ripley Smith had kept, shared, and used to teach Bill W., other AAs, and their families the underlying principles of A.A. The notebook lay unnoticed by historians and AAs alike even though it held the key to what early A.A. was really like--as related by the lady who was there as teacher, founder, and recorder. Dick B. is a writer, historian, Bible student, retired attorney, and active recovered member of A.A. He regards the Anne Smith discovery as perhaps the greatest of his historical finds and subjects in helping AAs to recover today.

One of the earliest and most valuable discoveries by author Dick B. in his search for the facts about the early A.A. program, which had such great successes, was the many, varied, and important Christian and other books read, studied, and circulated by A.A. Cofounder Dr. Bob among early AAs and their families. These are of great importance and utility today if you are to be healed of alcoholism. They cover the Bible, Jesus Christ, prayer, healing, alcoholism, daily devotions, Quiet Time, the Oxford Group, Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, conversion, and other relevant religious topics. Dick discovered the books in the homes of Dr. Bob's children, read and analyzed and categorized them, and placed them in this title. Other books were mentioned elsewhere as having been read and circulated by Dr. Bob, and are included.

There ?s a new way out of addictions, alcoholism, and life-controlling problems. Disappointed and discouraged, many today would abandon A.A., 12 Step programs, treatment, and therapy because of low success rates. But there is a far better way: look to the history, principles, and practices of early A.A. with its documented 75% to 93% success rate among medically incurable alcoholics who really tried. That?s when A.A. did work.Also, look to the history, principles, and practices of the world-wide societies which spawned A.A. ideas and were highly effective?the Salvation Army, the Rescue and Gospel Missions, United Christian Endeavor Society, Young Men?s Christian Association. You will see a common thread. You?ll see it in early A.A. too. And this book will tell you about it. Then, look to the history, principles, and practices of churches, clergy, para-church, Christ-centered, and Christian recovery programs. Look to the histories of healing by religious means. It dates from the Old Testament and follows through to today. When people relied upon the Creator, accepted Christ, called upon God in Jesus? name for cure, and believed, they received. A New Way Out leads to the power of God, the name of Jesus Christ, the love of God and neighbor, and serving others. It applauds the good things in A.A. and 12 Step programs. It respects the good things in religion. It grounds you in the historical elements of recovery by the power of God and then points you to support groups and church armed as you will be with those elements of each that worked in the earliest days, and those that don?t work today.

Dick B. is a writer, historian, Bible student, retired attorney, and recovered AA. He is active in the fellowship and has sponsored more than 100 men in their recovery. He has devoted 18 years to investigating, researching, analyzing, and disseminating the facts about early A.A. origins, roots, history, principles, and practices. He has published 33 titles and more than 170 articles on the subject and frequently speaks within and outside the fellowship. He is the leading A.A. early history scholar.

Put Your 12-Step Speakers, Sponsors, and Counselors to Work!You may regularly listen to excellent speakers, sponsors, and counselors in 12-Step programs. Chances are, however, that they probably rarely, if ever, talk to you about the origins, history, and practices of early pioneer recovery programs.Why?Because there are few histories to inform them; few teachers to instruct them; and too few people who really want to change. Speakers can get lots of applause if they stick to their drunkalogs, and make you laugh, cry, and maybe identify. Sponsors have few resources that connect the dots. Counselors feel safer telling you about your disease and taking the safe path--handing out a Big Book, a Twelve x Twelve, and a devotional and sending you to outside groups and meetings.What does this, our book, say? It says that it is high time to take these talented and admired people to the schoolroom. Three decades ago, there was no place to look. And if one of these people talked about history, he or she usually talked about the party-line that left out God, left out the Bible, left out the sources of the Twelve Steps, and pointed to a program that simply said you didn't really have to believe anything at all--just choose your own "higher power" and go to meetings.We believe the many fine speakers, sponsors, and facilitators can and should get cracking. They should pick up the accurate history books now available, learn from them, and talk about them. Why? Because they can then tell the afflicted exactly how and why the pioneers were cured and had a documented 75% to 93% success rate. And those who teach you can also train you--to look for yourself, think for yourself, and place your reliance on the Creator rather than teachers.This new book tells you our history, how to approach it, how to teach it, and how to use it.

The most exhaustive bibliography (with brief summaries) of all the books known to have been read and recommended for spiritual growth by early AAs in Akron and on the East Coast.

Dick B. is an active, recovered member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He is a writer, historian, Bible student, Retired attorney, and Recovered AA who has sponsored more than 100 men in their recovery. The author has devoted 16 years of his life to researching the Biblical history and roots of Alcoholics Anonymous and has published 26 titles, 120 articles, and over 20 audio talks on the subject. He is the leading A.A. history scholar and historian.