The Best of Bill: Reflections on Faith, Fear, Honesty, Humility, and Love

by Bill Wilson

A compilation of essential writings for Grapevine magazine by Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous

Grapevine, the international journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, has collected some of the most inspiring articles that Bill Wilson, a.k.a. Bill W., wrote specifically for the magazine.

Whether participating in AA groups for decades or just beginning to find their way through the Twelve Steps of recovery, readers will relate to Bill's sincere and personal reflections on topics that range from faith and fear to honesty, humility, and love.

This edition of The Best of Bill also includes Bill W.'s classic essay on the spiritual meaning of anonymity.

Genres: Spirituality

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Michael Kress · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great spiritual book even non-alcoholics could get something out of. The AA program is based on the Big Book of AA and is all about action outlined in that book. The Best of Bill is only a supplementary tool for that basic text. A person who is not an alcoholic and just wants a meditation tool could use this small book. Only a small portion of it refers to drinking because it focuses on the solution to a more fundamental problem that even non-drinkers can have. My favorite chapter in the book was the one about humility, the opposite of pride. My personal experience is that pride has been the source of much misery in my life. One can be doing well, or think they are, and that knowledge can lead their soul into some dark places. Part of the writing seems dark in this chapter also.
"Pride cometh before the fall."
How true. The last page in the book has the "Prayer of St. Francis," and if you don't read anything else, I suggest this. It's a short piece you can meditate on in the morning to get your mind right for the day. Even if you are atheist, you can focus on the things that the prayer asks God for; all the good stuff like honesty, humility, and love.

[Walter Schlillinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE Says It All

TITLE Says It All

Great collection and sampling by one of the co-founders of AA. Certainly a must have for anyone in AA and for those searchers trying to figure out what all the fuss is about this fantastic organization which is one of the great achievements in helping to deal with alcoholism.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!

[Heather Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little read

An excellent little read about the Real Important Things of life - Honesty. Integrity. Character. Sacrifice. Faithfulness. It really is all the little things.

[Jim Talarski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with a group of friends. It was a collection of Grapevine articles written by Bill W. Each article gave us something to think about and generated good discussion. We will be looking for other Grapevine colections to read in our group.

[MARGARET · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

I love reading the history behind the Big book of alcoholic's anonymous. Bill's story is very inspiring. His work on our behalf I am grateful for so I want to know more about him.