That Amazing Grace: The Role of Clarence and Grace S. in Alcoholics Anonymous (Paperback)

~ (Author) "You might say that even meeting Grace was a surprise..." (more)
Key Phrases: perfect bound, Oxford Group, Big Book, Twelve Steps (more...)

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Product Description

This is the story of the immense contribution made by early A.A. pioneer Clarence H. Snyder to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, its astonishing growth there in early A.A. years, and its even more unique documented 93% success rate. It is told through the eyes of Clarence Snyder's widow "Amazing Grace" Snyder (as Clarence called her). There have been other accounts, some very good, of the Clarence Snyder story. But this one was prepared by author Dick B. after spending a week in Florida with Grace, interviewing her and going over historical details not previously reported. Here you will learn the close bond between Clarence and his third wife, Grace. You will learn how they worked together in sponsoring new people, praying and studying together, and conducting the spiritual retreats for AAs and their families that Clarence had earlier founded. In a sense, you will conclude that Clarence is really the hero of early A.A. He didn't care for Bill Wilson or his financial meanderings. But, when he chose to organize the Cleveland fellowship, he took the best of A.A. with him and applied it. There were four basic parts: (1) The Bible. (2) The Four Absolutes of the Oxford Group. (3) The new Big Book just published. (4) The Twelve suggested steps for recovery that the Big Book laid out. This was new ground. Dr. Bob had already thoroughly convinced and indoctrinated Clarence about the efficacy of God's power, the importance of the Bible, the techniques for approaching newcomers, and the essential conversion to Christ. But, as he essentially made A.A. palatable and available to Roman Catholics who had been having difficulty with the so-called "Protestant" Akron program, Clarence brought the Bible with him. He kept the biblical principles in the Four absolutes--honesty, purity, unselfishness, and love. He dived into the Big Book, and he began taking hordes of newcomers through the Twelve Steps in very short order. In other words, he embraced the essentials of Oxford Group standards; he embraced the biblical orientation of Dr. Bob; and he applied the Big Book program of recovery that Bill Wilson had just gained approval to publish in 1939. All this as seen and interpreted by Clarence's devoted and loyal wife Grace. And carried forward by Grace after Clarence died. The companion to this book is the "Our Legacy" book recently compiled and edited by Dick B. and written by three Clarence Snyder oldtimer sponsees and their wives, detailing the history and the exact methods Clarence used in taking people through the Steps and in conducting the spiritual retreats which are still being held in the United States and Great Britain. This is a heart-warming personalized book about an unusually devoted couple of A.A. Twelfth-steppers.

About the Author

Dick B. is a writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, and active recovered member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He has been a close friend of several Clarence Snyder retreat leaders as well as Clarence's widow Grace. He has spoken as a guest at Snyder retreats in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, and California. He has published 32 titles on the history of A.A.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Paradise Research Publications (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885803060
• ISBN-13: 978-1885803061
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,632,103 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Scoop on A.A.'s Clarence and Grace Snyder, March 27, 2008

By	Daxton Lyon (Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews

Dick B. became one of my long-time friends and brothers in Christ in a Bible fellowship. I knew that he traveled all over the United States gathering information and books about early A.A.'s Bible roots. I also knew that he had several times been a principal speaker at the so-called "Clarence Snyder Retreats" for AAs and their families that Snyder had founded many many years earlier in his sobriety. Dick's draw seemed to be his intimate knowledge of early A.A. history and the fact that Clarence's widow Grace Snyder said she could almost hear her husband's voice as Dick recited the facts. Finally, Dick asked Grace if he could write a book about her. She was enthused. She invited him and his son Ken to stay at her home in Florida and hear the details. This warm, enthusiastic, informative book about Clarence, Grace, A.A., and the Snyder retreats is a gem. It was followed by the Our Legacy book that Dick compiled and edited from the writings of three Clarence Snyder oldtimer sponsees as their wives. Taken with Mitch K's biography of Clarence, this makes a threesome of some very important early A.A. history derived from the man sponsored by Dr. Bob, longest in sobriety at one point, and the founder of the phenomenally successful Cleveland A.A. program.