Resources

Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers by Anonymous
A great place to begin studying early AA history. Published by AA, it focuses on how the program emerged and grew in the Midwest under the direct influence of Dr. Bob and the AA pioneers.

Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.’s Spiritual Roots and Success by Dick B.
Dick B. researched and authored over 40 books on the beginnings of AA. This work provides the best of his research in a single volume. The author may get a bit preachy for some readers, but at 750 pages, there’s no better source for the documents critical to understanding Oxford Group and AA’s history.

For Sinners Only by A. J. Russel
Written in 1932 by a famed English newspaperman who set out to debunk the Oxford Group but stayed to become one of its strongest advocates. Well written and insightful of key principles, it gives an insider’s account of the Group and its leader Dr. Frank Buchman.

Not God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous by Dr. Ernest Kurtz
Published in 1979, this work began as a Harvard doctoral dissertation. It’s one of the best researched sources of remembrances, correspondence, and literature that contributed to the start of AA. It’s a must read for anyone exploring AA history. Lots of footnotes but crammed with helpful and hard to find documentation.

Bill W. My First Forty Years by Bill Wilson
This not well known gem is the closest thing we have to an autobiography by AA’s Cofounder. Begun as a series of tape recordings “to set the record somewhere near straight,” it’s a chance for the reader to experience Bill’s early life and childhood traumas. It fills in the gaps detailing events leading up to his conversion experience that one could wish had made it into the Big Book. Sadly, the taping stopped shortly after Bill’s recollection of his “hot flash” at Town’s Hospital.

Pass It On: The Story of Bill Wilson and How the AA Message Reached the World
This 1984 AA authorized biography of Wilson contains great source materials and belongs on the shelf of any serious student of AA history. Chapter 16 relates some of Bill’s experimentation with psychic phenomena that might not make it past the AA censors of today.

On the Tail of a Comet: The Life of Frank Buchman by Garth Lean
Written by an early and life-long member of the Oxford Group, this definitive biography of Frank Buchman traces the life and career of the Oxford Group founder giving readers a view of his life from the inside. Contains surprisingly little on the Group’s giving birth to Alcoholics Anonymous.

Good Morning: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A. by Dick B.
This slim volume by the late Dick Burns is the best book for tracing the history and practice of Two Way Prayer. It makes clear that “listening for guidance” or Two Way Prayer was part of a larger morning practice called Quiet Time. That included confession, meditation, prayers of petition and thanksgiving along with the reading of scripture or other “guided” books.

God Calling by Two Listeners, edited by A.J. Russell
Most AA’s are familiar with the 1954 classic meditation book “Twenty Four Hours a Day”. Not so widely known is that the collection of meditations that helped millions of alcoholics over the years are largely the Two Way Prayer writings of two Oxford Group women in England. Their writings bring Two Way Prayer to life.

How to Listen to God: Overcoming Addiction Through Two-Way Prayer by Wally P.
The author tells the story of James Houck, an alcoholic Oxford Group member who found sobriety in 1934, one day after Bill Wilson. James remained sober through the Group and in his later years traveled the country with Wally P. leading AAs through the Group’s practices of Surrender, Sharing, Restitution, and Guidance. Wally is also the well-known author of Back to Basics.

The Contemplative Heart by James Finley
The author spent several years in a Trappist monastery practicing meditation under the famous monk Thomas Merton. Finley recognizes the deep yearning so many of us have to find our “home” in God from which we feel estranged. His book introduces the reader to a set of simple meditative practices that help us overcome this sense of “homelessness.”

A Gradual Awakening by Stephen Levine
In this classic introduction to meditation practice, this acclaimed poet and meditation teacher unlocks some of the mystery that often surrounds this subject. Written in an easy to understand style, it’s filled with practical guidance and advice that make it ideal reading for a morning Quiet Time as it introduces a technique attributed to the Buddha himself.

Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault
This book is perhaps the best introduction to the Centering Prayer techniques pioneered by the Trappist monk Fr. Thomas Keating. The author grounds her work in ancient Christian traditions, while bringing them to new life tailored for the circumstances of our times.

The Breath of God by Swami Chetanananda
These brief, poetic collection of 130 short readings offer a gentle but effective introduction to some of the deep relaxation and meditation practices developed within the Kundalini branch of Hinduism. It’s a great companion to morning meditation as it focuses on the many pains, and sufferings we each face in our lives.

Inner Work by Robert A. Johnson
This author can best introduce readers to the world of depth psychology pioneered by Carl Jung. He provides ways for accessing and working with the unconscious that include dream work, active imagination, and shadow work. Johnson’s other books include: Transformation, Owning Your Own Shadow, He, Owning Your Inner Life, Ecstasy, and Inner Gold. Each is worthy of study. Johnson is a gentle teacher, storyteller, and spiritual guide.

Jung’s Map of the Soul by Murray Stein
This work by one of today’s most prominent Jungian analysts and teachers is another excellent source to begin the study of Jung. A bit more complex but also more complete than Johnson’s book referenced above, Stein explains the unconscious realm in terms beginners can comprehend and begin putting to good use in their lives. There’s a reason it’s been reprinted nearly twenty times!

The War of the Gods in Addiction by David Schoen
A set of letters was exchanged between AA Cofounder Bill Wilson and C.J. Jung shortly before Jung’s death in 1961. In this book a Jungian analyst, experienced in recovery work, explores the deeper nature and workings of addiction as seen through the lens of these letters.

The World’s Religions by Houston Smith
This work is the definitive classic for introducing the essential elements and teachings of the world's major faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, as well as regional native traditions. With sales of over two million copies since it first appeared in 1958, the author boils each faith down to its essence cutting through the doctrines and dogmas that tend to separate while explaining how each religion tries to provide its wisdom to solving the many problems of “the human condition.”

Invitation to the Great Experiment by Thomas E. Powers
Tom P. had Bill Wilson for his sponsor and helped Bill in writing several important AA books including the 12 & 12 and AA Comes of Age. This work is Tom’s lasting gift to those in recovery hoping to benefit from religious sages of both East and West while adhering to our 12 Step programs and following Dr. Bob’s directive to, “keep it simple!” Tom describes himself as a “spiritual mongrel” drawing nourishment for his spiritual life from wherever it can be found. This 1958 book is expensive on the web but can be obtained affordably through www.AllAddictsAnonymous.org It’s well worth tracking down!

Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg
Many in recovery have rejected the Christian faith in which they were raised or, even more often today, were never introduced to. This scholar examines the life and teachings of the historical Jesus presenting a contemporary faith that welcomes critical intelligence. Many Oxford Group members faced similar problems with religion. Their movement began as “A First Century Christian Fellowship,” an effort to get back to basics and find a faith that worked.

Breathing Underwater: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by Father Richard Rohr
Richard Rohr is a Franciscan friar known to many in 12-Step recovery. In this book he traces the gospel principles present within the Twelve Steps showing how we all suffer from addiction in its many forms. His free, daily meditations are available through his Center for Action and Contemplation here: https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations