These books explore the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous and the people who started a movement that would expand throughout the developed world to help millions.
1. Not God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous
Ernest Kurtz provides a thoughtful and in-depth history of the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous and explains the spiritual aspects of the recovery program.
2. Bill W
"The Absorbing and Deeply Moving Life Story of Bill Wilson, Co-Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous" is based on interviews with the founder of A.A. and those who were closest to him.
3. Ebby: The Man Who Sponsored Bill W.
Mel B. describes the events that lead up to Ebby making a call on Bill W. and gives us insight into why Ebby himself found it difficult to remain sober.
4. The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous
The story of A.A.'s birth at Dr. Bob's Home in Akron on June 10, 1935. It tells what early AAs did in their meetings, homes, and hospital visits; what they read; and how their ideas developed from the Bible, the Oxford Group, and Christian literature. By Dick B.
5. The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous
Dick B's comprehensive history of the origins, principles, practices, and contributions to A.A. of "A First Century Christian Fellowship" (also known as The Oxford Group) of which A.A. was an integral part in the developmental period between 1931 and 1939.
6. Anne Smith's Journal, 1933-1939
Dr. Bob's wife, Anne, kept a journal in the 1930's from which she shared with early AAs and their families ideas from the Bible and the Oxford Group. Her ideas substantially influenced A.A.'s program.
7. A Biography of Mrs. Marty Mann
"The First Lady of Alcoholics Anonymous & Pioneer Public Health Educator" by David and Sally Brown.
8. Grateful to Have Been There
"My 42 Years with Bill & Lois & the Evolution of Alcoholics Anonymous" by Neil Wing.
9. That Amazing Grace
"The Role of Clarence & Grace S. in Alcoholics Anonymous" by Dick B.
The two most recent books out for AA history lovers...
10. 1000 Years of Sobriety
by William Borchert, Michael Fitzpatrick
11. We Recovered Too - The Family Groups' Beginnings in the Pioneers
by Michael Fitzpatrick
