God and Alcoholism presents a new challenge for the 21st Century. It is a study of the original and highly successful spiritual recovery program of early Alcoholics Anonymous and the changes that have occurred in the last six decades since the founding. It presents the seven specifics, the "musts," and the "not required" features of the pioneer program. It points to A.A.'s merits and accomplishments in the 20th Century, particularly its success through reliance on the Creator, its pride in producing "cures," and its challenges to finding definitions for "alcoholism." Next, the author describes the enormous emphasis early AAs placed on the power of Almighty God, the views of scholars about that, and the Biblical assurances of help from the "Heavenly Father." Then there is a review of the "nonsense gods" of recovery and the wide attraction they've had for therapists, 12 Steppers, clergy, psychologists, and others. The author concludes with a challenge to eliminate! the dismal recovery rate today by recalling, re-affirming, and reinstating the God-centered program of the Founders, Bill W. and Dr. Bob. Bibliography, index, and endorsements. A must read book . . . for anyone in recovery. This man pulls no punches showing the connection of God and Alcoholism. -- Recovery for Today, Addictions Coalition of Delaware,September, 2002 Many thanks to Dick B., the leading historian of A.A., for this unique and valuable study. -- The Reverend Howard J. Clinebell, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Claremont School of Theology, Former Professor of Pastoral Psychology and Counseling, Claremont Graduate University; Author of 13 books, including Professionals will welcome this important research and documentation. -- Mel Schulstad, Col., U.S.A.F. (Ret.) CCD (NCAC II) Counselor; Co-founder and past president NAADAC; Co-author, This message by historian Dick B. about God and A.A. is long overdue -- Ozzie and Bonnie Lepper, Wilson House at East Dorset, VT Today's recovery literature is filled with questionable descriptions of the "Power" upon which early AAs relied and today supposedly rely for recovery; a very plain reluctance to concede the importance of God, the Bible, church or religion; and a variety of tailored descriptions of alcoholism and addictions that render them impervious to much but "treatment." The author's title is refreshing. It tackles God head on. God's power is identified. God's cures are identified. Alcoholism's curability is identified. And the nonsense radiators, lightbulbs, goddesses, and idols that have crept into the recovery movement are repudiated. Readers and suffering alcoholics, addicts, and dependents will find much encouragement from the refreshing documentation of what the Creator accomplished for alcoholics in the 1930's and can accomplish today--just as A.A.'s founders promised in their basic text in 1939. After 12 years of research and seventeen historical books, I wanted a new approach. The years have enabled me to see clearly the 7 point program of early A.A. and what God was able to do for the pioneers. They have also enabled me to see and want to describe the many good aspects of A.A. then and now. And I have, in my own words and those of others. Finally, I wanted to challenge our President, our government leaders, clergy, physicians, and suffering patients to remember God. On the cover of the book is a moving statement by Abraham Lincoln about the consequences of forgetting God! Here the author details and thoroughly documents the simple seven-point recovery program of early A.A., as it was reported to John D. Rockefeller, Jr., by his agent Frank Amos (later an A.A. Trustee). That spiritual recovery program (developed in Akron between 1935 and 1938) produced an astonishing seventy-five percent success rate among "medically incurable" alcoholics who "really tried." The successes caused the forty early A.A. pioneers to believe and declare that there was a cure for alcoholism--a cure that had been effected by relying on Almighty God, the Creator. Dick's title then covers what the pioneers said about the power of God to heal and cure alcoholism. Also, what their Good Book (the Bible) and other observers of their day said that confirmed the efficacy of their new method which combined the power of God, the knowledge of medicine, and the experience of drunks working with drunks. The author also gives credible testimony to the great role Alcoholics Anonymous has played in his own life and in the 20th Century. It forthrightly criticizes today's "nonsense gods" of recovery. It calls for restoration and return to the Creator Yahweh to the recovery scene in the 21st Century. Dick B. is a writer, historian, retired attorney, Bible student, and active recovered member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He holds Doctor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Stanford University and an A.A. degree from the University of California (Berkeley) with Honorable Mention. He was both Cas