Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers - First Printing 1980 - with Original Jacket
Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers
A Biography, with Recollections of Early A.A. in the Midwest
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York
1980 — First Printing
With Original Dust Jacket
Description
Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers is the definitive biographical and historical account of Dr. Robert Smith, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Fellowship’s formative years in Akron, Ohio. Published by A.A. World Services in 1980, this volume was the first Conference-approved biography devoted entirely to Dr. Bob and the Midwest roots of A.A.
Rather than focusing solely on one man, the book documents the lived experience of A.A.’s earliest members—the “good oldtimers”—whose shared struggles, spiritual insights, and practical experiments shaped the Twelve Steps, sponsorship, and early group life. Drawing from letters, meeting recollections, and archival sources, it traces A.A.’s growth from a handful of alcoholics in Akron to a functioning movement with enduring principles.
Topics include:
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Dr. Bob’s personal battle with alcoholism and his recovery
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His meeting with Bill Wilson and the birth of A.A.
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Early Akron meetings and the break from the Oxford Group
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The development of A.A. practices, traditions, and spiritual principles
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Candid accounts of early members who helped shape the Fellowship
Rich in historical detail and written with restraint and respect for anonymity, this book remains an essential cornerstone of A.A. history and literature.
Condition
Book: Good condition. Clean pages with no writing or markings. Binding sound. Light general wear consistent with age.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present. Shows edge wear, small tears, rubbing, and some fading, typical of use.
Please review all photos carefully for detailed condition.
