The Language of the Heart: Bill W's Grapevine Writings

by Bill Wilson

From Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, a collection of inspiring and illuminating articles written for Grapevine magazine Bill W. was AA Grapevine ’s most prolific contributor, having written more than 150 articles, from his first in June 1944 to his last in December 1970. An enthusiastic advocate, he also served for many years as a consulting editor of Grapevine , which started as an eight-page local newsletter and became the principal journal of the Fellowship. In more than 150 articles, written over a span of twenty-six years, Bill Wilson documented the painstaking process of trial and error that resulted in AA's spiritual principles of recovery, unity, and service, articulating along the way his vision of what the Fellowship could become. In The Language of the Bill W.’s Grapevine Writings , readers will find Bill’s initial inspirations for what became the Twelve Traditions, his battles with chronic depression and spiritual pride, memories of an all-night drinking spree, and a vivid description of how he came to organize the Twelve Steps (there were six in the first draft). For anyone in recovery from alcoholism or addiction, this uplifting and poignant collection provides a view into the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous as well as deep insights on emotional sobriety and personal struggle. Ultimately, The Language of the Heart documents a heartfelt journey that offers foundational knowledge and hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Addiction, Spirituality

410 pages, Hardcover

First published November 21, 2011

Reviews

[Luis Hernández Cano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adquirí información muy valiosa, datos muy interesantes que sin duda me servirán para desarrollarme mejor dentro de la agrupación. Lo más importante es que es una base que siempre estará disponible de ahora en adelante para cualquier consulta. Lo leo por segunda ocasión . Inicio el 24 de Dic 2024 y acabo 3 de ene 2025

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a good history of AA and some of the challenges it faced in its early days.

[Tre Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 -- too many insights and gems of wisdom that can guide the individual, that can steer the individual groups and inform the program on the macro level for it to be a 4, but it does not quite measure up to the masterpiece of its predecessors. This speaks more to the quality of its predecessors than it does to this collection of writings.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume presents Grapevine articles culled from a 25 year span and it is quite repetitious. It contains more about the 12 Traditions and AA administration than I ever needed to know. But there are also some buried diamonds in these pages for the AA "miner" who is willing to do the digging.

[Justin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda boring. Bill's story gave me unrealistic expectations about the rest, spiritual experience, love, money, sleep, and recovery.

[Linda Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was nice to learn more about the history of Alcoholics Anonymous through Bill W.'s writings in the monthly publication of The Grapevine from its inception in June 1944

[Karin Snortland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding reading for recovering alcoholics.

[Mike Kurz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good source of history

It took me awhile, but good AA read. I know there is a lot more out there. So pass it on

[Phyllisha Hamrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok if you are interested in history of AA

[Lauren Niewold · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read it as part of a women’s meeting and. It. Would. Not. End. Maybe if I had 10+ years instead of 3, but I couldn’t get into Bill’s ramblings. It was torture.

[Deborah Charnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible that this book’s contents date back to the 1930s, and it is still so relevant. I enjoyed reading this from both the historical perspective and the spiritual side of how just a few people can change society.