Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers

by Ed Nyland (Editor)

Alcoholics Anonymous, by its very nature, could not have been founded by one person. Its essence is sharing. Therefore, Bill W. and Dr. Bob are always referred to within the Fellowship as the co-founders. So far, among the majority of A.A. members, the Ohio surgeon has been less well known than his partner. He died in 1950, when A.A. was only 15 years old. But his influence on the whole A.A. program is permanent and profound. This book gives a portrait of Dr. Bob as full-sale and balanced as possible—for the most part, in the words of those who knew him personally. The young man who grew up in Vermont became a hard-drinking college boy, then a medical student fighting the onset of his own alcoholism, a respected physician, a loving but increasingly unreliable family man, and at last a desperately ill drunk. He was without hope until he met a stockbroker from New York—Bill W., who urgently needed a fellow alcoholic to help him maintain his own sobriety. His story then becomes inextricably entwined with that of Alcoholics from a fledgling Fellowship to a powerful spiritual movement with a worldwide reach. Dr. Bob’s story remains instructional and inspiring to those who read it today.

Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2015

Reviews

[Randy Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad I now know Dr. Bob a little bit better.

[Debbie Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I stopped by Dr. Bob's house in Akron, Ohio, last fall. I had to purchase something while we were there, right? I picked up this book and the Big Book for AA. I enjoyed this book very much. I am not in AA, but I know many people who are due-paying members, including my husband who will celebrate 48 years of sobriety 2/9/2022. I really never knew the story of Dr. Bob and how he helped to start Alcoholics Anonymous with Bill W. This book filled in a lot of the blanks for me. I thought the book was very informative and written with a lot of care and understanding. A good read.

[Tre Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might be considered sacrilegious to give only 4 stars. I still loved the book. Loved reading about the development and growth of A.A. from the Akron, OH angle. I learned so much about the man for whom I have much admiration and affection.

My inside pages of my book are filled with notes and lists of the important characters and events within A.A's history.

Definitely worth a read if you are interested in this sort of thing

[Dustin Huffman · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a member of A.A i found it somewhat interesting. It's about the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in Akron, Ohio during the depression era 1930's and it's early beginnings. If your not in A.A I wouldn't recommend it as you would probably find it very boring.

[anthony hebbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

what an incredible Man and journey. I wish I were able to thank him, in person, for everything he has done for me and my fellows.

[Anthony Hibbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting history of one of the founders of AA and how the program started and developed in its early years.