About Dick B.
My dad (pen name: “Dick B.”, J.D., CDAAC) became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous on April 21, 1986. He passed away on September 12, 2015, with 29+ years of continuous clean and sober time in A.A.
He began his research on the Biblical roots of Alcoholics Anonymous in early 1990 when a young Christian A.A. member named John, whom my dad and I both knew from Bible study, approached my dad and asked: “Hey, Dick! Did you know that A.A. came from the Bible?”
Well, 50 titles later—45 of which have been published, and 33 of which are available now at Amazon, including all 31 of the volumes in “The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set”—he could heartily endorse the following statement made by A.A. cofounder Robert Holbrook Smith, M.D. (“Dr. Bob”) in his last major talk, given at Detroit, Michigan, in December 1948:
“It wasn’t until 1938 that the teachings and efforts and studies that had been going on were crystallized in the form of the Twelve Steps. . . . We already had the basic ideas [of the Twelve Steps], though not in terse and tangible form. We got them, as I said, as a result of our study of the Good Book.”
[Source: “The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches and Their Last Major Talks” (New York, NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2017; Pamphlet P-53), p. 14.]
The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible by Dick B.
The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible is Dick B.’s ground-breaking, best-selling title (more than 200K in print) about the Biblical roots of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Table of Contents:
Foreword to the First Edition
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: “Lest We Forget Early AAs and Their Bibles!”
Early A.A.’s Success Rate Compared to Today
The Historical Evidence of A.A.’s Good Book Roots
The Oxford Group-Shoemaker Impact
Bible Devotionals and Other Early A.A. Literature
The Purpose of Our Book
Chapter 2: God!
The Frequency of Biblical Names for God
God is
A Loving God
A Special “god” for A.A.?
Whence Came “Higher Power?”
Bill Wilson’s Higher Power
“God As We Understood Him”
“A Power Greater Than Ourselves”
Chapter 3: Biblical Impact on Big Book Language
Direct Quotes from the Bible
Recognizable Biblical Words and Concepts
A.A. Slogans and Watchwords with Biblical Roots
Two Other Biblical Concepts
Chapter 4: The Parts Dr. Bob Found “Essential”
The Thirteenth Chapter of First Corinthians
The Book of James
The Sermon on the Mount
Chapter 5: The Good Book and the Twelve Steps
Step One and Deflation at Depth
Step Two, Willingness, Belief, and Seeking
Step Three and the Decision to Surrender
Step Four and Self-examination
Step Five and Confession
Step Six, Conviction and Readiness to Change
Step Seven, Humble Submission and Rebirth
Step Eight, Willingness To Make Amends
Step Nine, Restitution
Step Ten and Daily Corrective Action
Step Eleven, Prayer, Guidance, Growth, Power
Step Twelve, Awakening, Witness, Practice of Principles
Chapter 6: Keeping It Simple
The Original Six Steps
Simmered Down to the Last (Love and Service)
Chapter 7: The Good Book and A.A. Today
Bibliography
Index
Dick B.’s title The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible may be obtained through Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats (and elsewhere in other digital eBook formats):
https://bit.ly/DickBTheGoodBookAndTheBigBookOnAmazon
Note: A substantial discount off the retail list price of The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible may be available for groups and others who would like to study or give away copies. Please send an email to KenB@DickBonRecovery.com to obtain details.
Other Dick B. Titles on the Biblical Roots of A.A.
More than 30 other titles by Dick B. are available in paperback on Amazon about A.A. history; about the highly-successful principles and practices of the original Akron “old-school,” “Christian fellowship” program; and about how Christian leaders and workers in today’s recovery arena may enhance their effectiveness in working with still-suffering alcoholics and addicts who want God’s help through His Son Jesus Christ and the Bible by including in their efforts key points from Dick B.’s 25 years of research:
http://bit.ly/DickBonRecoveryBooksOnAmazon
Nine (9) of Dick B.’s titles are also available in Kindle format on Amazon (and in other digital eBook formats such as for Apple and the Barnes and Noble Nook elsewhere):
Pioneer Stories in Alcoholics Anonymous: God’s Role in Recovery Confirmed!:
https://bit.ly/DickBPioneerStudiesinAAKindleFormat.
Stick with the Winners!: How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature:
https://bit.ly/DickBStickWithTheWinnersKindleFormat.
The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous:
https://bit.ly/DickBTheAkronGenesisOfAAKindleFormat.
The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible:
https://bit.ly/DickBTheGoodBookandTheBigBookKindleFormat.
The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook:
https://bit.ly/DickBTheGoodBookBigBookGuidebookKindleFormat.
The James Club and the Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials:
https://bit.ly/DickBTheJamesClubKindle.
The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works:
https://bit.ly/DickBTheOxfordGroupandAAKindle.
Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today:
https://bit.ly/DickBWhyEarlyAASucceededKindleFormat.
Courage to Change, compiled and edited by Bill Pittman and Dick B.:
https://bit.ly/BillPittmanAndDickBCourageToChangeAmazon.
“The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set”
The 31-volume “Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set” contains some of the fruits of research done by Dick B. (JD,CDAAC–known as “the unofficial historian of Alcoholics Anonymous”) during the last 25 years of his life (1990-2015).
Major Topics Covered in “The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set”
The “Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set” covers the waterfront of important A.A. history information, particularly in four (4) areas:
1. The “original,” “old-school,” early A.A. program—particularly as seen in Akron, Ohio (where A.A. was founded in June 1935); and to some extent in early Cleveland A.A. (where Clarence S. founded A.A.’s third group in the world on May 11, 1939).
2. Some basic Christian principles–particularly as seen in the Gospels and the Book of Acts–which found their way into the early Akron and Cleveland A.A. program(s) through early A.A.’s Christian forebears.
3. The Christian forebears of A.A. which influenced the Christian upbringings and early A.A. years of A.A. cofounders Bill W. and Dr. Bob, including:
The Young Men’s Christian Association.
The Congregational Church in Vermont.
The Salvation Army.
The “Great Awakening” of 1875 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
The great Christian evangelists of the time of Dr. Bob’s youth (Bob was born on August 8, 1879) and of Bill W.’s youth (Bill was born on November 26, 1895), such as Dwight L. Moody; Ira D. Sankey; F. B. Meyer; Billy Sunday; and numerous others.
The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor (later renamed the “United Society of Christian Endeavor”).
“A First Century Christian Fellowship” founded in the autumn of 1922 by Lutheran minister Dr. Frank N. D. Buchman and several associates (and also known, beginning in September 1928 in South Africa, as “the Oxford Group”).
4. How Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena may substantially enhance their effectiveness by carrying an accurate message about what worked in early A.A. to alcoholics and addicts who still suffer today; and to those who care about, care for, and/or treat them—based on the work of Dick B.
If you’d like to obtain the 31-volume “Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set” for only $297.00, with FREE Shipping to U.S. destinations, just click on the “Add to Cart” button below:
(NOTE: PayPal is the secure payment gateway we use. You DO NOT need to have a PayPal account to use your credit or debit card to make a purchase.)
(If purchased new separately, the retail list price of the 31 titles in the “Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set” totals more than $700.00. This special offer of $297.00 with FREE Shipping to U.S. destinations, is only available through this web page—unless you contact me, Dick B.’s son Ken, directly, of course—and is only available for a limited time.)
The 31 Titles in “The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set”
A New Way In
A New Way Out
Anne Smith’s Journal, 1933-1939: A.A.’s Principles of Success
By the Power of God: A Guide to Early A.A. Groups and Forming Similar Groups Today
Cured! Proven Help for Alcoholics and Addicts
Dr. Bob and His Library: A Major A.A. Spiritual Source
Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book as a Youngster in Vermont
God and Alcoholism: Our Growing Opportunity in the 21st Century
Good Morning! Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A.
Henrietta B. Seiberling: Ohio’s Lady with a Cause
Introduction to the Sources and Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous
Making Known the Biblical History and Roots of Alcoholics Anonymous
New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A.
Pioneer Stories in Alcoholics Anonymous: God’s Role in Recovery Confirmed!
Real Twelve Step Fellowship History: The Old-School A.A. You May Not Know
Stick with the Winners! How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature
That Amazing Grace: The Role of Clarence and Grace S. in Alcoholics Anonymous
The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous
The Books Early AAs Read for Spiritual Growth
The Conversion of Bill W.: More on the Creator’s Role in Early A.A.
The First Nationwide Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference
The Golden Text of A.A.: God, the Pioneers, and Real Spirituality
The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible
The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook
The James Club and the Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials
The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works
Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.’s Spiritual Roots and Successes
Twelve Steps for You: Take the Twelve Steps with the Big Book, A.A. History, and the Good Book at Your Side
Utilizing Early A.A.’s Spiritual Roots for Recovery Today
When Early AA’s Were Cured and Why
Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today
How to Obtain “The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set”
If purchased new, separately, the retail list prices of the 31 volumes in “The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set” total more than $700.00, PLUS tax and Shipping.
Through the www.DickBonRecovery.com website, for a limited time, you may obtain “The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set” for only $297.00, and Shipping is FREE to U.S. destinations.
(For shipping arrangements to destinations outside the U.S., please send an email message to KenB@DickBonRecovery.com and describe your situation. Thank you!)
If you’d like to obtain the 31-volume “Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set” for only $297.00, with FREE Shipping to U.S. destinations, just click on the “Add to Cart” button below:
(NOTE: PayPal is the secure payment gateway we use. You DO NOT need to have a PayPal account to use your credit or debit card to purchase “The Dick B. A.A. History Reference Set.”)
Additional Resources by Dick B. (and his son Ken B.) on the Biblical roots of Alcoholics Anonymous:
Dick B. books on Amazon (30+ titles): http://bit.ly/DickBonRecoveryBooksOnAmazon
“A.A. History: The Rest of the Story, with Dick B.”: www.AAHistoryChristianRecovery.com
Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery by Dick B. and Ken B. [four videos and accompanying guide(s)]: http://bit.ly/IntroductoryFoundationsForChristianRecovery
The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., by Dick B. and Ken B.: https://bit.ly/TheDickBChristianRecoveryGuideDickBKenB
Facebook: “Dick B. on Recovery”: https://www.facebook.com/DickBonRecovery1
[See also: https://www.facebook.com/DickBmauihistorian/ (4,900+ Friends)]
Instagram (@DickBonRecovery; 9,700+ Followers; 1,350+ posts): https://www.instagram.com/dickbonrecovery/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DickB_Maui
YouTube: “DickBChannel”: http://bit.ly/DickBChannelYouTube
Blog: “The Real ‘Power’ Behind Alcoholics Anonymous”: https://mauihistorian.blogspot.com/
The “Dick B. on Recovery” email newsletter: http://bit.ly/JoinTheDickBOnRecoveryNewsletterList
Help Support Keeping Dick B.’s 25 Years of Research on the Biblical Roots of A.A. Available
If you would like to help support my work in keeping the legacy of my dad (Dick B.) available, please click on the “Donate” button below.
(NOTE: PayPal is the secure payment gateway we use. You DO NOT need to have a PayPal account to use your credit or debit card to help sponsor my work.)
** Wholesale and bulk prices are available. Please contact Ken B. by email at KenB@DickBonRecovery.com for details. **
Copyright Anonymous 2020. All rights reserved.
Contact:
Ken Burns (please use “Dick B.’s son Ken” or “Ken B.” in public)
PO Box 331231
Kahului, HI 96733
Email: KenB@DickBonRecovery.com
Tel.: 1-808-387-7609
Trademarks and Disclaimer: ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS®, A.A.®, and Big Book® are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., The DickBOnRecovery.com web site, Paradise Research Publications, Inc., and Good Book Publishing Company are neither endorsed nor approved by nor associated or affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.