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Thirty years after two alcoholics met in Akron, this huge throng at the A.A. International Convention in Toronto, Ontario, joined in saying words that sum up the spirit behind the worldwide growth of A.A., before and since: “I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible” (preceding pages).
DR. BOB
and the Good Oldtimers
DR.BOB
and the
Good
Oldtimers
A biography, with recollections
of early A.A. in the Midwest
1980
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York, N.Y
DR. BOB AND THE GOOD OLDTIMERS
Copyright © 1980 by
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC.
475 Riverside Drive
New York, N.Y. 10115
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any manner without the written permission
of the publisher.
First Printing 1980
Thirtieth Printing 2013
This is A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS® and A.A.® are registered
trademarks of A.A. World Services. Inc.
www.aa.org
ISBN 978-0-916856-07-6
eISBN 978-1-940889-80-1
Printed In The United States Of America
B-8
Foreword
The preparation of this book began after the April 1977 A.A. General Service Conference approved the project. Originally, a joint biography of the two co-founders was planned. When this proved impracticable, it became apparent that Dr. Bob’s biography should be written first, before Bill W.’s.
The end of the last century was the setting for all of Dr. Bob’s childhood and youth. Even with the most thorough research, this early period includes months and years of which only the barest account can be given, and that in the memories of but a few men and women. Undramatic as these recollections are, they give glimpses into the innate character that would help to shape the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.
For Dr. Bob’s adult years—as an active and then as a recovering alcoholic—the material is far richer. In the course of research, the book naturally expanded from biographical limits into a memoir of early A.A. in the Midwest. Our co-founder was in the same position as any other A.A. member: Without the Fellowship and its program, his life would have been only a short story with a tragic ending.
Both the individual and the larger history unfolded partially from A.A. literature and material in the archives at the A.A. General Service Office in New York City—but chiefly from face-to-face talks with relatives, friends, and acquaintances of Dr. Bob and with pioneer members of Midwestern A.A. The locales of these interviews included, not only Ohio and Dr. Bob’s native Vermont, but California, the D.C. area, Florida, North Carolina, New York, and Texas.
The interviews yielded a greater wealth of historical material than could be included in one book; but the complete records are now in the A.A. archives. To all the people who shared their memories, the Fellowship owes a debt of gratitude.