The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible (Bridge Builders Edition) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Alcoholism, substance abuse, and their often attendant addictions can be, and frequently are, deadly, terrifying, productive of despair, financially devastating, and morally destructive..." (more)
Key Phrases: Big Book, New York, Oxford Group (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The very first, and the most popular study of A.A.'s roots in the Bible. A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob had often stated during his lifetime that the basic ideas of A.A. were taken from their study of the Bible. So too that the Book of James, the sermon on the mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 were absolutely essential to the early program. He said that the answers to their problems were in the Good Book (as he called the Bible). This book explores every observable source and appearance of Bible ideas in the Big Book which Bill Wilson wrote four years after A.A. was founded. It has become a regular shelf item among those who believe in God, understand the importance of the Bible, diligently seek to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in the march to sobriety and a life of love of service thereafter. The book is a page-turner for those who, like the author at first, had never realized the specific sources of A.A. in the Bible, and the specific Bible language in A.A.'s basic text, talks, and literature of the early days.

About the Author

The author is a writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, and active recovered AA who has sponsored more than 100 men in their recovery. He has devoted 18 years of his life to researching, reporting, and disseminating early A.A. history and successes. He has published 32 titles and more than 180 articles on A.A. history. Clergy, scholars, historians, and old-timers in A.A. have often called Dick B. the leading A.A. historian today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Paradise Research Publications, Inc.; Revised edition (June 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885803168
• ISBN-13: 978-1885803160
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #215,596 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The new interest in early A.A. and the Bible, December 13, 2000

By	John Hill IV (Virginia) - See all my reviews

There's a whole new rush to find out what early A.A.'s did with the Bible. I'm a Christian and a Bible student. And I'm delighted to see the trend. I've read Dick' book; and it think it meets the growing need for information that's been missing in 12 Step movements for many years now.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Good Book and The Big Book, April 18, 2005

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

This review is from: The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A's Roots in the Bible (Paperback)

Every so often I find a literary treasure that bears reading more than once. This book by Dick B. is one of those books. I dug into it more times than I can remember, as I kept getting more out of it each time I opened it. This book made me into a sponge, soaking up everything within it. Not only are the words written the truth, but I found that the words enabled me to experience a more solid foundation for my own recovered existence. Trying to recover without this book is like trying to see yourself without a mirror- it is just as important to include this as essential reading. God gave us the Bible, Dr. Bob and Bill W. gave us the Big Book, and Dick B. has put it all together so we can be empowered through both. I include this as required reading for my sponsees, as it is vital they get this information so they can achieve a happy and lasting sobriety.

Sincerely,

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

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More - six years later - on this most popular of Dick's books, November 15, 2006

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

From the very beginning of his research as an active, recovered member of the A.A. fellowship, Dick had his eye on the Bible and its relationship to the fellowship he had joined. For a long time, he didn't see the relationship, nor hear about it. Then a young friend in our Bible fellowship, who was also an AA, told Dick there was information about the Bible roots in the A.A. book - DR BOB and the Good Oldtimers. Dick read it and then began his systematic, detailed, walk through the historical people and events the A.A. book had mentioned. Before he got to this title, he had examined Dr. Bob's library and found the thesis corroborated. Then he examined Anne Smith's Journal and found the same result. Then the Oxford Group and all of its books and verses that talked about the Bible. Then the real Akron story--The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. And finally it was time to dive into the Bible itself and also the Big Book which contained A.A.'s basic text. And dive he did. He left no stone unturned to detail the many different ways in which A.A.'s Bible roots could be found embedded in its Big Book, Twelve Steps, Slogans, Traditions, and Fellowship. And because of this, the book became a favorite with Christians who wanted to know just how much the Bible had to do with A.A.. It also became a favorite with AAs who were beginning to wake up to the fact that a major part of their history had never before made it to the history books. The reasons are many. And six years ago, I tackled this book and briefly reviewed it. Meanwhile, it has gone through several editions, several printings, and thousands of hands. And it is the most important starting place today for a real understanding of what A.A. was before it became diluted through the ignorance of its current leaders as to the vital Biblical history and roots. Today, this book is part of Dick's 30 published titles, which includes 25 reference books that flesh out the picture, from many standpoints. I recommend this foundational book today with just as much enthusiasm as I did when I first heard of it and read it.