Writing the Big Book: The Creation of A.A.

I found it disappointing. Dick B. has written about our history at great depth and more accurately. The author of this work consistently takes "leaps of logic" that is opinion, not historical fact. The author states he had access to archives "unseen" by others but with the exception of a couple items, everything is pulled from materials that have been available for years. Even citing a YAHOO chat board as one of his sources and for some reason he relies heavily on Frank Amos. The book is an entertaining read as he is an accomplished author, however being a writer and historian myself, who would love to have a look at the archives in New York and at Stepping Stones, I was sorely disappointed. So, it is an entertaining read, but little else.

A truly astonishing study: profoundly researched but also very readable. No one has previously made such exhaustive use of the AA archives. Ten years in the making! And you can see why on every page. Bill Wilson emerges as an ingenious fabulist who embroidered the truth of his experience, not out of dishonesty, but rather out of a desire to make it representative and thus more useful to fellow alcoholics. The most explosive finding has to do with Hank Parkhurst, who has until now been a shadowy figure in AA history. But he was not merely behind the scenes during AA's formation; he was arguably its true co-founder.

What wonderful research the author did writing this book. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most influential books of our times. It was so well written and thought through I often wondered how they did it, and Schaberg’s book tells you exactly how, why and when they did what they did.The 800 pages of his book shares so much about the development and personal stories of building A.A. It’s hard to capture the essence of this spiritual revolution that changed the lives of millions of people. Naturally, there were politics, economics, and personal egos all involved, and it’s a miracle that they were able to put it together and that it has grown to such an extent as it is today. Today, the book has been translated into 87 different languages.The founders of the Big Book, and there were many, put their careers and lives on the line to create this program of recovery and thank God they did. I highly recommend “Writing the Bib Book” to anyone who is interested in the history of the 12-step programs of recovery. The author has done a great job providing the history and background on the Writing of the Big Book.

Good but painfully slow. Best treatment of the whole hospital, missionary, book, money I have seen. Wonderful treatment of Hank P's and Dorothy S's part in the writing of the book. Doesn't mention the Oxford groups five C's... uses words like significant and startling about stuff that was not... Bill W was a story teller and his stories always contained a message. Those messages still apply today whether the historical facts line up or not. Yes, I'm a little biased (and grateful).

I've read some people state that the author made too many unsubstantiated conclusions, or words to that effect. I say that is hogwash. His impeccable research is above reproach. Any scholar knows that when you write a paper, you do extensive research first to see what has been written or what type of material is already out there. Then you pull it all together and draw conclusions based on what you've uncovered. Scholarly study would go nowhere if an author did not make an informed speculative conclusion based on the research. This is what the author has done. He has determined what he believes to be the personalities of the different people involved from his research and has drawn logical, probable conclusions as to what a person may have said or how that person may have acted or responded in a given circumstance. This is simply historical research, and biographies have often written like this, but with much less research. It's up to the reader to decide whether some of the conclusions are correct based on their own historical research or knowledge, not what they have heard from others. In essence, the author is getting peer reviewed by thousands of recovered alcoholics, some intimately familiar with the history, and many just clinging to what they have heard. I have met a few excellent A.A. historians and have read others. I haven't found anything in this book that does not hold water based on what others have discovered. My personal opinion is that this is a treasure trove of A.A. history that will excite open-minded historians and laypersons alike. This is research and writing at its best. Thank you for the effort that went into this book, and thank you for the fresh look at this very short but important period of time in the history of A.A.

I've been sober and active for 52 years. Read all the written material on history/beginnings of AA...read em all. I've met and talked to Marty Mann and Clarence Snyder, Sue Windows etc.The new book Writing BB is far and away the best ever. Besides the documented information, Schaberg's writing style is as good as it gets...no ego...no boring opinions...just plain nifty writing style. Love the book....can't put it down. Does away with all the "an old-timer told me" B.S.Thank you so much for your gift to we AA history lovers.Patrick MurphyCedar Rapids, Iowa .

Well researched and written. Absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

This is a tremendous work of scholarship which is on the plan of the great works of history by Chernow, McCullough, et al. Schaberg blows up the myths perpetuated by AAs to get at the true achievements and genuine heroism of the pioneering AAs and early supporters. As someone in and around AA for 34 years, I came away with real awe and inspiration.

The 11 years of archival research is evident in the detail. As someone fairly expert on the subject of AA history, I was surprised at how much was new to me. For a scholarly tome, the book is easy reading. Mr. Schaberg is gifted with a wonderful clarity of expression. This is NO attack on Bill W. or AA, but it is clear that the AA founder "crafted" many of his versions of historical events. The book is REMARKABLE!!