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Aloha!
Dick B.’s son, Ken B., M.A., here.
ANNOUNCING!
The New “Dick B. on Recovery Mini Reference Set No. 4” (Bill W., Dr. Bob, and the Cure of Alcoholism): $49.95, plus S&H. The Mini Ref. Set includes the following titles on A.A. History by Dick B.:
[1.] Dick B., That Amazing Grace: The Role of Clarence and Grace S. in Alcoholics Anonymous, With a Foreword by Harold Hughes, Former U.S. Senator from, and Governor of, Iowa, Founder of S.O.A.R. (San Rafael, Calif.: Paradise Research Publications, 1996), 160 pp. (Regular retail list price: $22.95).
From the back cover of That Amazing Grace by Dick B.:
“This is the story of the beloved wife, companion, and willing student of A.A.’s venerable pioneer Clarence S. The lady was called by Clarence, and is known by her admirers as, ‘Amazing Grace.’ The story is important because, at the time of his death in 1984, Clarence claimed to be the AA with the most sobriety and the ‘founder’ of Alcoholics Anonymous, and was a man who—along with Grace—helped thousands take their Twelve Steps, recover, and find Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Grace here recalls the history of early A.A.’s spiritual roots and successes as Clarence specifically related them to her. She also tells of the spiritual retreats for A.A. people that Clarence founded and that she carries on to this day. The life of this unusual lady attests to the availability of an assured recovery program based on the power of God and the reliability of His Word.”
“As one of Clarence’s sponsees and as one who has had his life changed by the examples of Clarence and Grace, I can vouch for this book’s accuracy and value for those who want to know the facts.” Dale M., (over 30 years of sobriety in A.A.), Amery, Wisconsin.
“I have read with relish and a grateful wonder the excellent historical books by Dick B. Professionals in the addiction medicine field and/or personal recovery can gain invaluable benefits from the research, depth and truths of his books.” Tom Claunch, CAC, Past President of NAADC, Chairman of the European Conference on Addictive Diseases (EuroCAD/1996), Haynesville, Alabama
“Though there have been excellent histories of A.A.’s beginning years, each and corporately, have left one major lacuna—the precise origins of A.A.’s spiritual principles. Fortunately, the void has been filled by the series of histories by Dick B. His latest, That Amazing Grace, explores virginal ground with scholarly documentation. We of Roman Catholic Persuasion are grateful for “Amazing Grace,” since Grace’s husband, Clarence, opened A.A.’s doors to us. Dick’s books are immensely informative and a joy to read.” Father Paul B., M.A., Ph.D., Diocese of Kansas City, Missouri.
[2.] Dick B., The Conversion of Bill W.: More on the Creator’s Role in Early A.A. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2006), 250 pp. (Regular retail list price: $23.95).
From the back cover of The Conversion of Bill W. by Dick B.:
“How many times have you heard that the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is God-given, was divinely-inspired, or was accurately characterized in the article by a Chicago judge: ‘Why We Were Chosen?’ Or that Bill Wilson was guided by God when he penned the famous ‘Twelve Steps?’ On the other hand, how many times have you heard the expression: ‘A.A. is spiritual, but not religious?’ Or heard that A.A. requires a belief in a “higher power?’ Or heard that A.A. is about ‘not-god-ness?’
“This book doesn’t address those questions. It is not about the nature of A.A. Nor about the place of the Creator in today’s program. Nor about whether AAs are a chosen bunch. It’s an account of the many ways the Creator seems to have touched the life of Bil W. and, through him, the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Did He impact Bill W.’s life and hence A.A. itself?
“You will meet a Bill W. you haven’t met in the dozen or so biographies of his life. You’ll look at events in Bill’s life you’ve probably never heard of—whether inside or outside of A.A. You will see how many times Bill seemingly had a conversion or religious experience, whether he called it that or not. You will see how many times religion and church and clergy impacted on Bill’s activities, whether or not he impacted on theirs. You’ll note the details about Bill’s decision for Christ at the Calvary Rescue Mission and his belief he had been born again. You will see the many examples of conversion experiences that Bill might have run across, just following his own ‘hot flash’ experience—the event resulting from his call for help to the ‘Great Physician’ and his vision that he had been in the presence of ‘the God of the preachers.’
“Was Bill Wilson converted? Did Bill Wilson become a born-again Christian? Did Bill Wilson truly believe in the one, true, living God? Were all of Bill’s frequent references to Almighty God a manifestation of what he really believed? God knows the answers. They’re His special province. Not mine. But you will have the opportunity to focus on a new question about the part our Creator may really have played in the life of Bill Wilson and in the worldwide Fellowship which began in Akron in 1935 and of which Bill was co-founder.”
[3.] Dick B. and Ken B., Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book as a Youngster in Vermont, Foreword by Ray G., Archivist at Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2008), 354 pp. (Regular retail list price: $24.95).
From the Foreword in Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous by Dick B.
“My wife and I have known, visited, and traveled with Dick B. for quite a number of years. And he has been a guest in our Ohio home many times when he has come to Akron, Ohio, to visit, research, and speak on early A.A.’s spiritual roots and successes. We both know Dick as an AA who has not only devoted many years and many books to making the history of early A.A. more widely known, but also that Dick has had a particular interest in the wonderful contribution that Dr. Bob and his wife Anne Smith made to that recovery scene at the beginnings of A.A.
“As archivist at Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron, Ohio, and as one who takes the archives all over the country so that others will be blessed with an opportunity to see and learn, I have welcomed Dick’s many books on Dr. Bob, Anne, Henrietta Seiberling, and the Akron roots.
“But this new book uncovers, to an extraordinary degree, a virtually unknown and yet vitally important part of Dr. Bob’s past—his days as a youngster in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
. . . “I recommend this book highly to AAs and to all those who want to know why Dr. Bob so certainly and emphatically believed he was qualified to say, ‘Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!’ Dick shows you the sources at St. Johnsbury that produced such conviction.”
[The Foreword, from which the excerpts above were taken, was written by Ray G., Archivist, Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron, Ohio.]
From the back cover of Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous by Dick B.:
“This title tells you about A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob’s ‘excellent training’ in the ‘Good Book’ as ‘a youngster.’ It presents an in-depth exploration of the training Dr. Bob received during his boyhood years in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. You will see, from its documented details, that young Bob’s major Christian training—the training translated into the early A.A. spiritual recovery program in Akron—came from his parents, Walter P. and Susan H. Smith; North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury; the Christian Endeavor Society of that church; and the rigorous requirements and studies at the famous St. Johnsbury Academy. The authors traveled to St. Johnsbury; visited principal buildings existing during Bob’s youth; interviewed the North Church pastor, the St. Johnsbury Academy archivist and the librarian, people at his boyhood home, and others. Then began their intensive research of the actual records, background books, photos, and communications. The bibliography will help readers to do likewise if they choose. More importantly, this title is a companion to a second ‘volume’ comprising 20 resource binders and to a large number of books in the newly-founded Dr. Bob Core Library at North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, which houses extensive historical, biographical, educational, Christian, and other books, manuscripts, and photographs.”
[4.] Dick B., When Early AAs Were Cured and Why, 3rd ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2006), 192 pp. (Regular retail list price: $23.95).
From the back cover of When Early AAs Were Cured and Why by Dick B.:
“There is no longer room for dispute that early AAs were cured of alcoholism. Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and A.A. Number Three, Bill Dotson, all said specifically that the Lord had cured them of the curse of alcoholism. Then, for a decade, AAs, newspapers, magazines, and talks around the U.S. proclaimed the cure. Suddenly came a great turnabout—the claim that there was no cure. Had the pioneers lied? Had ‘cure’ been misunderstood? Had God lost His power?
“The contents of this title were delivered at the Second Nationwide A.A. History Conference in Wilmington, Delaware, by A.A. writer/historian Dick B. The title specifies the many who confirmed the cure—Dr. Silkworth, Norman Vincent Peale, pioneer AAs like Clarence Snyder, and hundreds more. Most importantly, it shows how, where, and why the Akron pioneers achieved their 75% success rate, followed by a 93% rate in Cleveland. Was this all a myth? Did it matter that a core group of pioneers overcame ‘medically incurable’ drinking?
“The real evidence lies with centuries of healings through the power of God. Also, the specific healing of alcoholism by religious bodies. Then too, the healings in the Salvation Army, in A.A.’s predecessor Oxford Group, and in the Christian Fellowship in Akron.
“And just how was the power of God brought into play? This book covers it all. It pinpoints abstinence, resisting temptation, acceptance of Christ, reliance on the Creator, eliminating sinful behavior, growing in fellowship with God and His Son through prayer, Bible study, seeking of guidance, and comradeship with like-minded believers. The catalyst behind the religious effort was an effective combination of love and service. In the Salvation Army, the Oxford Group alcoholics, and the alcoholic squad in Akron, there was immense focus on message carrying and compassionate care by those who had previously suffered and conquered.
“This book is filled with details about the early A.A. program and how it can be applied in 12 Step Fellowships today by those who choose Christian fellowship, reliance on God and His Word, and a determined effort to couple abstinence, God’s power, and changed lives.”
[5.] Dick B., Cured! Proven Help for Alcoholics and Addicts, With a Foreword by Robert P. Turner, M.D., 2nd ed.(Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2006), 168 pp. (Regular retail list price: $23.95.)
From Robert P. Turner, M.D.’s “Foreword to First Edition” in Cured! Proven Help for Alcoholics and Addicts by Dick B.
“It is with great pleasure that I write this Foreword to Dick B.’s latest book. What this book lays out, in clearly researched and documented detail, is the miracle of the God-granted cure of the compulsive use of addictive substances and behaviors—a cure that has been experienced and lived out again and again—for over 60 years since the beginnings of Alcoholics Anonymous—in the lives of hundreds of thousands of alcoholics and addicts.
“Once again, Dick has done his homework thoroughly, and we are the recipients of his years of research. As I read and studied this book, and continue to see the immensity and devastation that alcoholism and addiction inflict in so many lives, I was reminded of the words of William D. Silkworth, M.D.:
‘Faced with this problem, if a doctor is honest with himself, he must sometimes feel his own inadequacy. Although he gives all that is in him, it often is not enough. . . . we physicians must admit we have made little impression upon the problem as a whole’ [Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd edition, pp. xxiii].
“I agree with Dr. Silkworth. I, as a physician, realize that 21st Century medicine offers what is often inadequate help and hope to those in alcoholism and addiction. As with Dr. Bob, I as a Christian, have the privilege of pointing an alcoholic and addict toward the only One Who can effect a true cure—Jesus Christ. Dick B. shows that this is exactly what the early AA’s did, and with amazing success.
“I continue to stand in awe of God Who can take a person ‘from a trembling, despairing, nervous wreck’ to ‘emerge a man (or woman) brimming over with self-reliance and contentment.’ (Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd edition, p. xxv).
“The beginnings of AA were a miraculous work of God. This is so clearly documented again and again in the writings of AA from its earliest days, such as the words of Bill Wilson, ‘. . . [T]he Lord has been so wonderful to me, curing me of this terrible disease, . . .’ (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th edition, p. 191).
“The biblical foundation of AA is without dispute, as seen in the early literature, current Conference approved literature, and in all of Dick’s books. This biblical foundation continues to be a reminder that we are all, whether we admit it consciously or not, completely reliant on The God Who has perfectly, lovingly, and tenderly revealed Himself in His Word, the Bible.
“I encourage you to read and study this book; do your own homework and study to see ‘whether those things were so’ (Acts 17:11). Thank you, Dick, for one of the most remarkable books I have ever read, one which has reminded me of the miracles that occur daily in my life and in the lives of so many around me.”
Robert Turner, M.D.
Medical Director, MUSC Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory
Department of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Neurological Surgery
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina.
The combined retail list price for the five titles by Dick B. in this “Mini Reference Set No. 4” is $119.75, plus Shipping.
For a limited time, all five (5) titles in the “Dick B. on Recovery Mini Reference Set No. 4” are available for only $49.95 plus $7.50 S&H (Total: $57.45).
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Here are four (4) ways to acquire the “Dick B. on Recovery Mini Reference Set No. 4” by sending payment to me, in the amount of $57.45:
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[d1] Go to www.DickBonRecovery.com, the main “hub” for many things “Dick B.”
[d2] Scroll down the page to the bolded major subheading:
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[d5] Choose whether you will be paying via PayPal, or with a credit or debit card, and then continue completing the form. (You do not need to have a PayPal account to use this secure form which uses PayPal as the payment gateway.)
[d6] If you see a place to add a note, please enter “Mini Ref. Set No. 4.”
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Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Good Book Publishing Company
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