Bill W. and Mr. Wilson: The Legend and Life of A.A.'s Co-founder
Bill W. and Mr. Wilson: The Legend and Life of A.A.’s Cofounder
Matthew J. Raphael | 2000 Hardcover | University of Massachusetts Press
Offered here is a hardcover copy of Bill W. and Mr. Wilson: The Legend and Life of A.A.’s Cofounder by Matthew J. Raphael, published by the University of Massachusetts Press in 2000.
Rather than simply retelling the familiar story of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson, Raphael examines the man behind the public identity of “Bill W.” and explores the relationship between Wilson’s personal life, his experiences in recovery, and the development of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The book follows Wilson from his childhood and early drinking years through his involvement with the Oxford Group, his spiritual experience, his meeting with Dr. Bob Smith, the writing of Alcoholics Anonymous, the development of the Twelve Traditions, and his later years at Stepping Stones.
Raphael also places a number of important influences on Wilson and A.A. into historical context, including the ideas of William James, Carl Jung, the Oxford Group, and the religious and philosophical movements that contributed to the development of early Alcoholics Anonymous.
Written by an author who was himself a member of A.A., Bill W. and Mr. Wilson takes a more interpretive approach than many traditional biographies of Wilson. Raphael examines both the historical figure remembered within Alcoholics Anonymous and the private individual whose life was considerably more complex.
For collectors and researchers of Alcoholics Anonymous history, the book remains an interesting companion to works such as Robert Thomsen’s Bill W., Pass It On, and other histories of the Fellowship’s founders.
Book Details
Title: Bill W. and Mr. Wilson: The Legend and Life of A.A.’s Cofounder
Author: Matthew J. Raphael
Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press
Publication Year: 2000
ISBN: 1-55849-245-3
Binding: Hardcover
Boards: Dark blue cloth with gilt spine lettering
Dust Jacket: Not present
Pages: 220+ pages including notes and index
The contents include:
- Bill’s Elusive Childhood
- Bill’s First Drink
- Bill’s Roaring Twenties
- Bill and the Oxford Group
- Bill’s “Hot Flash”
- Bill W. Meets Dr. Bob
- Writing the Big Book
- Forging the Traditions
- The Sage of Stepping Stones
- Stepping Stones 1998
Condition
This copy is in very good condition.
The original dark blue cloth boards remain clean and attractive, with only light shelf and handling wear. The gilt lettering on the spine remains bright and clearly legible.
The binding is firm and the interior pages are clean and well preserved. No significant writing, highlighting, library markings, or ownership stamps are visible in the photographs provided.
The original dust jacket is not present.
Overall, this is a clean hardcover copy of an important modern study of Bill Wilson and the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they show the exact copy being offered.
Bill W. and Mr. Wilson offers a different perspective on one of the central figures in recovery history and is a worthwhile addition to a collection focused on Bill W., the origins of Alcoholics Anonymous, the Oxford Group, Stepping Stones, and the development of A.A.’s foundational ideas.
