Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots and Successes [Paperback]

Dick B. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1997

Ten years ago, Dick B. regarded this comprehensive volume of research and writing as his magnum opus. The reason is that its 776 pages brought together his detailed discoveries about the major historical roots of the A.A. movement--the Bible, the Oxford Group, Rev. Sam Shoemaker's writings, Dr. Bob's Library, Anne Smith's Journal, and the religious literature early AAs read. The work was quickly acclaimed by the many scholars and AAs who read and endorsed it. And Dick believed he had covered the waterfront as to the spiritual history of early A.A. Certainly he had covered it in a way that no prior history had even approached in depth, content, and scope. Thus for those who wanted and want an accurate composite of the major contributing religious and spiritual factors that led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935, this is the appropriate reference source. It has, in fact, been used to teach classes, fill academic library spots, and educate those interested in spiritual recovery. But there was to be much more. As time and research continued, Dick delved into the nooks and crannies and came up recently with some 16 wellsprings of A.A. roots and ideas. The discovery neither negated nor outdated the contents of Turning Point. It simply made the picture more clear and detailed. Thus Dick's later books took several new turns: First, he looked into the actual cure situation in early A.A.; and he also looked into the origins and meaning of the so-called nonsense gods; that had developed in A.A. These absurd creations began calling a so-called higher power; a Coke bottle, a tree, a chair, a radiator, a light bulb, Something,Somebody,Gertrude, the Great Pumpkin, Santa Claus, and many many other idolatrous creations. Next, Dick looked more deeply into the individuals who had contributed ideas that became embedded in A.A. and even spawned some of the absurd names, half-baked prayers, and self-made religion (as A.A. co-founder Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker characterized them for AAs). The individuals included William James, Carl Jung, Emmet Fox, Richard Peabody, William D. Silkworth, and others. In turn, this quest led him to other movements that had contributed to A.A.'s development both before and after 1935--United Christian Endeavor Society, Young Men's Christian Association, the Gospel rescue missions, the Salvation Army, and others. Dick then turned to writing books that would explain to AAs and others exactly how to utilize the history and founding sources to achieve recovery today. And at present, he has turned to biographical materials about Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob that will explain the source of their own particular ideas and practices as those were transmitted into the early A.A. program--conversion, Bible studies, prayer meetings, morning meditation, and even revival techniques. The search and research go on. But Turning Point remains the turning point that describes in much detail how the early AAs turned to the one, true, living God for the solution to their problems, and used His Word to tell them more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An amazing accomplishment of research and scholarship, this 11th title from Dick B. about the source and foundations of A.A. -- Steps for Recovery, April, 1997

Dick describes in great detail biblical teachings used by A.A., teachings of Sam Shoemaker, and role of Dr. Bob's wife. -- Theology Digest, publication of St. Louis Univ., Spring 1998

About the Author

Dick B. is an active, recovered A.A. member, retired attorney, Bible student, and sponsor of more than 100 men in their recovery. He has spent 18 years researching the spiritual roots of A.A., traveled widely, spoken at seminars and panels and conferences, and had 32 titles published on the subject. He is a Phi Beta Kappa, former Case Editor of the Stanford Law Review, and has been a church president, and community leader. Many have dubbed him A.A.'s leading historian today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 776 pages
• Publisher: Paradise Research Publications (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885803079
• ISBN-13: 978-1885803078
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,422,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm an active, recovered member of Alcoholics Anonymous. I use the pen name Dick B. to conform to A.A. Traditions. I am also a writer, an historian, a Christian, a Bible student, a certified CDAAC, a retired attorney, and A.A. with over 25 years of continuous sobriety. As of October, 2011, I had, for more than 21 years, been researching the roots of early A.A. in the Bible, United Christian Endeavor, the Salvation Army, the Rescue Missions, the Young Men's Christian Association, the evangelists of the 1800's, the life-changing program of the Oxford Group, the teachings of Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Quiet Time, the teachings of Anne Ripley Smith (Dr. Bob's wife), and the roles of William James, Carl Jung, Richard Peabody, New Thought writers, William D. Silkworth, Christian literature and devotionals of the day. And published 42 titles and over 675 articles on all aspects of A.A.'s spiritual history, biblical roots, and astonishing successes in the 1930's and very early 1940's. And why? Because many in the 12 Step Fellowships tire of hearing about a 'higher power' that can be a tree, a radiator, a lightbulb, the group, or Gertrude. And they tire of seeing Biblical expressions in A.A.'s basic text and early literature and yet hearing today's literature stating that A.A. is 'spiritual, but not religious' when outsiders and the courts readily see its religious character and many therefore believe they should be able to learn A.A. Christian roots. And they tire of the fatalism that abounds in recovery writings and talk today. So I decided to find out where A.A. came from, and then pass on to the 100 plus men I have sponsored, the truth about A.A.'s roots. Currently and still today, one history after another appears in print and purports to talk about A.A.'s beginnings. Yet there is little or no mention of the Bible, of God, of Jesus Christ, of Divine healing, of redemptive forgiveness, or of deliverance from the power of darkness. Nonetheless, these unmentioned or little mentioned Christian elements were relied upon by early AAs for their astonishing recoveries. The fact is that they declared they were cured by the power of God and had a documented 75 to 93% success rate among seemingly hopeless, medically incurable, alcoholics who gave the program their best shot. So each of my 42 published titles and innumerable articles cover some aspect, and often more than one, of A.A.'s seven major Biblical and basic roots: (1) The Bible. (2) Quiet Time and the daily devotionals. (3) The teachings of Rev. Sam Shoemaker, Jr. (4) The life-changing program of the Oxford Group. (5) The details in the spiritual journal kept by Anne Ripley Smith (co-founder DR. Bob's wife) and shared with the pioneers and their families, but unmentioned today. (6) The extensive Christian literature ranging from St. Augustine to Brother Lawrence to Henry Drummond to John Mott to Harry Emerson Fosdick to Glenn Clark to Oswald Chambers, and a host of others. (7) One of the most recent finds has been the roots of Akron A.A. in the United Christian Endeavor Society. If one wants to understand the role, power, and love of God our Creator in A.A. today, that person will not accomplish much in the meetings, nor even in the "something" or "somebody" definitions that are pumped out today as a "power" to seek. Nonetheless, they can find accurate facts in my thoroughly researched and documented work of the past 21 years. For A.A. history abounds with truths from the Bible: how to come to God through His son Jesus Christ, how to be healed, how to comport yourself in accordance with Christian principles, how to pray, and how to receive guidance as one of God's kids. It's all there; and I welcome your comments and the many I receive each day. There's still plenty to learn and pass on. God Bless, Dick B. PS: Many of our latest findings are in The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010 www.dickb.com/Christian-Recov-Guide.shtml. Many are frequently posted on my blog www.mauihistorian.blogspot.com, as well as my facebook and twitter entries

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dick B.'s Most Ambitious and Comprehensive Historical Work, January 7, 2001

By 

John Hill IV (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots and Successes (Paperback)

I've watched Dick work with alcoholics, bring people to Christ, study the Word of God, and teach the 12 Steps and Big Book in their historical context. I've also seen and personally helped him gather many of his research materials, particularly those from James and Eleanor Newton. This monumental work, not the last or the latest or even the last to come, is still his finest and most comprehensive history of A.A.'s biblical roots. There is nothing like it, and it is very helpful to Christians looking at, into, or out of Alcoholics Anonymous and toward the Bible

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has helped me and others to stay sober!, April 2, 2005

By 

Steven J. Murray "Rev. Stephen J. Murray, MCR... (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots and Successes (Paperback)

I have worked in the substance abuse field for over 15 years, as a therapist, but I am also a recovering alcoholic and sponsor many men in a 12-Step program. When I first read this book I couldn't believe my eyes. It opened them to a fresh perspective on maintaining my sobriety. Since then, I require all my sponsee's to read this book. Dick B. has captured a time in history that was long forgotten and the truth of which was lost in the desk drawers, churches, and other places of the 12-Step Pioneers. The amazing part of this book is the fact that by reading it, one can read the history and methods used to sustain a 75%-93% success rate, and attain a simular outcome for themselves and when working with others. It truly deserves to be a part of everyones recovery- it will bring anyone who reads it to a deeper and more peaceful state of sobriety. I can't state the following with more adamant, that, the program of recovery is a program of action- so get into action and read this book, and then put into practice the original program that had such an amazing success with hopeless drunks. You will be forever thankful you did this. Thanks Dick for saving my life and the lives of those who I work with.

Sincerely,

Rev. Stephen J. Murray, MCRC / NICD Director www.nicd.us

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A.A. History: This book is tops!, November 29, 2006

By 

John Albert Hill Jr. "Bible student in recovery" (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots and Successes (Paperback)

After several years of A.A. participation, Bible study, and associating with Dick B., I'm now reviewing all of his 30 published titles. Often for a second time. The reason is that my own mind is now clearer and more receptive and better at understanding the detailed histories Dick B. writes. Take a look at Turning Point. And then take a look at several of the other historical books on the recovery store shelves. What's distinctive about Turning Point? Here are a few observations: (1) It covers ALL A.A.'s spiritual roots Dick had investigated and found by the time Dick wrote it. (2) Instead of omitting history, literature, and people of controversy, Dick reported whatever he found--Bible, Christian, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Oxford Group, medical, psychological, New Thought, Unity, atheist, secular, universal--all. (3) Dick's work was not based just on what he had "heard" from some oldtimer; it was based on what he had seen, read, collected, and received from folks like the children of Dr. Bob and Anne, Henrietta Seiberling, T. Henry Williams, Rev. Sam Shoemaker, and a host of eye-witness reporters like Parks Shipley, Grace Snyder, Garth Lean, Michel Hutchinson, Ken Belden, Howard Blake, Willard Hunter, Jim Houck, Julia Harris, Jim and Ellie Newton, and more. (4) This book was not the end of the trail; it marked the point Dick had reached in the 1990's and invited much more research--which actually did follow. (5) Like most of Dick's books, it contained a huge, reliable bibliography. (6) It included historical gems that had been stored away at Stepping Stones, attics, private holdings, and universities. (7) It had not been edited, censored, shortened, or peer-reviewed though it was endorsed by several heavy-hitters in the field. (8) It was written by an "insider"--an active, recovered, AA who had sponsored dozens of people and taken them through the Twelve Steps. Dick observes the anonymity tradition but openly reports, anonymously, his own deep involvement in the trenches of alcoholism, addiction, and A.A.

To sum up, this book is tops. It should be at the top of your A.A. history shelf, your 12 Step recovery shelf, your Christian roots shelf, and your Bible reference shelf. I highly commend it for these and other reasons.