Bill W. by Francis Hartigan - First Printing from 2000

Title: Bill W.: A Biography of Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounder Bill Wilson
Author: Francis Hartigan
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: 2000
Edition: First Edition
Printing: First Printing
Binding: Hardcover with dust jacket
Condition: Excellent – minimal to no wear to covers or dust jacket; interior pages clean, bright, and unmarked; binding secure. Please review photos for exact condition details.

Description

Bill W.: A Biography of Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounder Bill Wilson is one of the most thorough and candid explorations of the life of AA’s visionary cofounder. Written by Francis Hartigan, longtime secretary and confidant to Lois Wilson, the book draws on unique access to Lois and early AA members, providing an insider’s view of Bill’s triumphs and struggles.

The biography chronicles Wilson’s founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 with Dr. Bob Smith, his thirty-five years of sobriety, and his tireless dedication to building the fellowship into a worldwide recovery movement. Yet it also examines the complexities of his personal life—his crippling depressions, marital challenges, relationships with women, and even his controversial experimentation with LSD.

Through these honest portrayals, Hartigan reveals Bill W. as both an extraordinary leader and a deeply human man. This balanced perspective makes the book an invaluable resource for AA historians, collectors, and anyone interested in the spiritual and human journey of one of the twentieth century’s most influential figures.

Collector’s Significance

• First Printing: Scarce first printing of this important biography, published in 2000.

• Insider Perspective: Written by Lois Wilson’s secretary, offering access to first-hand stories and interviews.

• Balanced Account: Covers both Bill’s public achievements and private struggles.

• Historical Value: A modern cornerstone in the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous history.

• Condition: Excellent, collectible copy with minimal signs of wear.

This edition remains one of the definitive biographies of Bill W., offering a rare and nuanced look into the life of AA’s cofounder—his vision, his flaws, and his enduring legacy.