Dick B.'s latest exploration of, and report on the solid evidence that early AAs were cured of alcoholism and said so for the first decade after their founding. This title tells HOW. It explains the many reports of religious healings through the ages, the many in or observers of A.A. who proved that they were cured, the myths about God, alcoholism, and "no cure," and the key origins, roots, and elements of the early Akron Christian Fellowship where the cures occurred. A book for believers who know God's power and want to know how it was applied in the healing of alcoholism by A.A. pioneers

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.

Early AAs were cured of Alcoholism. For a decade, the pioneers said so. Alcoholism can still be cured; and this book explores in detail the myth that revisionists, therapists, and treatment folk have perpetuated while ignoring that the original cures were achieved by reliance on the Creator. The whole meaning, history, and detours of the cure situation are thoroughly explored.

The much-awaited work of A.A. Historian Dick B. on the origins of each of the Twelve Steps. First and foremost a history of each step. How each of A.A.'s co-founders contributed to each of the Steps. It looks at the original Akron A.A. program which had no "Steps" and took its basic ideas from the Bible and its principles and practices primarily from the United Christian Endeavor Movement of Dr. Bob's youth. Then--source by source--it looks at each Step as it was impacted upon by a particular contributor. The Bible, Oxford Group, Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Dr. Bob's wife Anne Smith, the so-called "Six Steps, then the other sources. This book is an historical study of the roots of each Step; and it can be used for individual and group study of the Steps in a very meaningful way.It is also a guide. A guide to understanding, and a guide to taking each Step. It also shows you how to take the Steps exactly as directed in A.A.'s Big Book. It suggests how you might look at each Step in terms of the contributions to that Step's lanugage and meaning by each of its sources. Finally, it provides Christians and other students with a means of considering, learning, and "taking" each of the Steps in light of that Step's biblical and historical roots--with the Big Book, Bible, and history at hand.When you are through, you will have a perspective of the real spiritual utility of the Twelve Steps in a believer's world, despite the secularization and universalism that are diluting all Twelve Step programs and the language used in connection with the Steps. For example, "God as we understood Him" historically and biblically means Almighty God, the Creator, as He is understood by the newcomer at the time of taking Steps 3 and 11. So too "powerless" in Step 1 is presented in its historical context ("I was licked") rather than in some puzzling linquistic context, seldom understood or unraveled.You'll know and guide the taking of the Twelve Steps as they were intended to be understood and as you never did before.

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.

A companion to Dick B.'s most popular book, The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible. This guidebook shows you how and where to study the Bible as the highly-successful early AAs did.

The author Dick B. is an active, recovered A.A. member who has sponsored more than 100 men in their recovery. He is a writer, historian, Bible student, and Retired attorney. He has published 30 titles, 160 articles, and 60 audio talks on the subject of A.A. history and has traveled throughout the U.S. doing his research and gathering historical evidence. He is widely sought as a speaker at history conferences, recovery seminars, and Christian recovery group meetings.