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Writing the Big Book
- The Creation of A.A.
- Narrated by: Natasha Soudek
- Length: 37 hrs and 34 mins
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Summary
In Writing the Big Book, William H. Schaberg presents an exciting, research-driven narrative of the history of the book, Alcoholic Anonymous, and the formative years of A.A. Granted extensive access to the group's archives along with several other sources, the author reveals the early Fellowship's conflicts and personalities, successes and failures, and dispels many of the myths found in such canonical texts as Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers, Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, and A Brief History of the Big Book.
The result of 11 years of in-depth research, Schaberg's history relies whenever possible on primary, real-time documents. He thoroughly investigates the book's authorship, illuminating the lesser-known contributions of figures like Hank Parkhurst and Frank Amos, and reveals how the spiritual side of the A.A. program evolved and was vigorously debated.
The book focuses primarily on the eighteen months between October of 1937, when a book was first proposed, and April of 1939, when Alcoholics Anonymous was published. During the span of those 18 months, the wealth of available archival materials provides for an almost week-by-week accounting of events, including an amazing amount of previously unreported details, resulting in a comprehensive and compelling story.
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What listeners say about Writing the Big Book
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- Mama Westray
- 24-12-23
Wow! so much more history
It says in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, "More will be revealed", and so it is.
The woman's vice is a little too saccharine, but after a while I adjusted, and it became quite easy listening. I have found it fascinating, that what I had sort of concluded in my small history researching, was in actual fact nearer the mark than I knew.
I am n=only walk way through listening, tasting the experience, rather than rushing through the feast of history, language, facts and discovery.
I really would recommend it to anyone who can cope with the story in AA being different to the story of AA.
Dee Q
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- Client Kindle
- 16-06-20
Excellent academic work
Incredibly well documented, for the serious student of early AA history who wishes to dig deeper than the creation myth offered by AA literature.
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- dhjackal
- 04-11-23
Thorough... fascinating... insightful... masterful
Absolutely brilliant. So much hard work and effort. Years and years of research and investigation into the depths of the AA archives. A must have for anyone who wants to know how the AA Big Book was put together and written. Fantastic.
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- Alan Jobling
- 06-12-21
A must for anyone interested in AA Big Book histor
Having studied the BB for many years. This was high on my history research into how the book came about and has become THE source of recovery for so many.
Full of in depth facts, that do sometimes go against what I thought I knew. Yes its quite lengthy but I highly recommend for any AA enthusiasts.
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- Caroline
- 11-03-24
Lengthy but informative
This is a very long book but deals with the minutiae in such inexhaustible detail it beggars belief. Factual on a subject surrounded by mythology.
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- James O'Kane
- 14-01-23
Abominable narration, ruins a good book.
This is a comprehensive history of AA. Tragically the narrator decided to ‘channel’ Bill Wilson much like a medium of old.
Utterly ludicrous and makes the book almost impossible.
Don’t buy!
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