Bill W: The Absorbing and Deeply Moving Life Story of Bill Wilson, Co-Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous

by Robert Thomsen

Book Overview

Robert Thomsen's biography describes the story of Bill W., a stirring spiritual odyssey through triumph, failure, and rebirth, with vital meaning for men and women everywhere.

This is the story of a man whose discovery and vision have changed the lives of millions of people throughout the world. Robert Thomsen's biography takes readers through the events of Bill W.'s life, all the while detailing Bill's growing dependence on alcohol...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568383436
• ISBN13: 9781568383439
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Hazelden Publishing & Educational Services
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Inspiration for the Newcomer!

If you're having doubts about your chances of success with sobriety, just read Bill's story! His ups and downs, trials and tribulations, surely prove that if he can do it, anyone can! Shipping was speedy & pricing was awesome!

Very well written Bio of Bill Wilson

I am a long time member of AA, and knew quite a bit about Bill Wilson prior to reading this book. But I have found out so much more than I expected to from the book, and it is very well written. I can recommend this highly to anyone wanting to know more about the man who founded one of the most important organizations of the 20th Century. - John T, San Francisco, CA

readers will be able to perceive a higher power, at work, while they read this biography of Bill Wil

Bill W describes how an extremely motivated, accomplished student, athlete and successful business man, became a hopeless alcoholic, experienced a spiritual miracle, became sober and founded Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill W is well written, with surprisingly detailed insights, into the childhood, psyche, motivations, influences and drives of a fascinating man. The author, Robert Thomsen, obviously performed extensive research, to obtain the extensive biographical information contained in this book. Bill's family history, numerous business successes and failures along with his gradual descent into alcoholism are described along with numerous attempts to control his binge drinking. The evolution of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 steps, from the 10 step Oxford Group are chronicled, almost step by step, along with numerous controversies and dilemmas,confronting the founders as they learned how to work effectively with alcoholics and ensure the spread and perpetuation of their movement. The history of failed attempts to obtain corporate sponsorship for Alcoholics Anonymous and the adoption of AA principles including anonymity, self supporting groups and no opinion on outside issues are well described. Bill W suffered anxiety, panic attacks, depression and appears to have been hypoglycemic. He ultimately learned how to treat his alcoholism, depression and hypoglycemia nutritionally, with results surpassing his initial spiritual efforts. Would Bill W have become an alcoholic, if he had received adequate treatment for hypoglycemia, depression, and anxiety ? Unfortunately, his attempts to incorporate nutritional, medical and scientific advances into Alcoholics Anonymous were rejected by the International Board of Alcoholics Anonymous. Bill Wilson was living proof that "No matter how far we have fallen, we can use our experience to help others." Perhaps most importantly, readers will be able to perceive a higher power, at work, while they read this biography of Bill Wilson, which is also a biography of the 12 step self help movement. Steven Sponaugle Research Director, Florida Detox

Superb

Excellent and insightful look at a complex and fascinating visonary who helped changed the culture of the 20th century.

Classic Biography

Excellent bio of AA's co-founder, based on interviews with Bill and those closest to him.