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Signed by Lois W. - Lois Remembers - First Printing 1979

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Original price $3,195
Original price $3,195 - Original price $3,195
Original price $3,195
Current price $2,500
$2,500 - $2,500
Current price $2,500

Lois Remembers: Memoirs of the cofounder of Al-Anon and the wife of the cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous. 

The book is inscribed by Lois Wilson to a childhood and lifelong friend of hers, Dorothy Dickinson Barbour on the first page of the book. The inscription reads:

“To dear Dorothy, In remembrance of our early days together + with much love, Lois 5/12/79”

There is a note at the top of the first page of the chapter “Childhood Memories”. The note reads:

“Marginal notes dictated to her son by Dorothy Dickinson Barbour 1892-1981 who was also a doctor’s daughter living on Clinton Street in Brooklyn, a graduate of Packer Institute, a member of the Oxford Group and Lois Burnham Wilson’s friend for life.”

The notes in the margins on the first several pages of the book were written by the son of the woman that Lois inscribed the book to. The notes are comments on some of the things that Dorothy had remembered of their childhood.

This book is a first printing from 1979 with the original dust jacket.

This book is in good condition. There is some wear to the corners of the cover. The inscription is on the first page of the book. There are the handwritten notes on the first several pages of the chapter “Childhood Memories”. There is no other writing or markings in the book. The dust jacket has some edge wear.

Lois W. is the co-founder of the AI-Anon Family Groups, and the widow of Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Here she recalls her childhood and life in Brooklyn as the protected daughter of a leading doctor, and her romantic marriage to Bill during World War I. She also tells how AA and Al-Anon started and how they have brought hope to more than a million alcoholics and those who love them.

In this Al-Anon book, she recalls idyllic summer days in beautiful rural Vermont and long hiking and motorcycling trips with Bill. Later came darker times when she and Bill tried vainly to conquer his illness of alcoholism. Then Bill's spiritual awakening led to his meeting with Dr. Bob S. in Akron, Ohio, and the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Lois tells how the Twelve Steps and-the Twelve Traditions grew out of the early experiences of AA members and groups, and were later adopted by Al-Anon. Her steadfast support and love for Bill were important throughout their marriage, but she found she needed her own program of recovery. Out of this need and that of other spouses and children of alcoholics grew Al-Anon for alcoholics' families and friends, and Alateen for their children.

Lois Remembers is the personal story of the co-founders of AA and Al-Anon as Lois recounts it, beginning with the early struggles-some heartbreaking, some hilarious-all from her own unique perspective.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.