Goodbye To Bacchus: An Alcoholic Actor’s Escape From Hell by Vernon Charles
Goodbye To Bacchus: An Alcoholic Actor’s Escape From Hell by Vernon Charles
“A moving, human document that sheds light on one of the greatest social evils of our time, the disease of drink...
More important, this book, in its account of the principles and practice of that remarkable organisation Alcoholics Anonymous, holds out new hope for the drunkard and his unfortunate associates.”
This book is a first printing from October 1953. Included in the book is a chapter titled “The Twelve Steps” with the authors experience with AA, the Big Book and the twelve steps.
FOREWORD
THIS BOOK IS A MUCH ABRIDGED AUTOBIOGRAPHY of a man of mature years with an exceptionally varied career. But it is much more. It is a faithful record of an escape from the bondage of chronic alcoholism, and as such becomes much more valuable than the merely personal history of an actor turned hotelier.
During my time as Honorary General Secretary of the English section of Alcoholics Anonymous it was my great privilege to meet many men and women who achieved the impossible by beating an addiction to alcohol which orthodox medicine was powerless to control. The author of this book tells his story, which is an example of what group therapy with a spiritual basis can do in changing an individual's approach to life in such a revolutionary manner that in the space of only three years he is now widely known as a healer for the victims of addictions and obsessions.
His experience is an example of what the drunkard can do, once he has admitted that alcohol has made his life unmanageable, and expressed a sincere desire to give it up. Goodbye to Bacchus is essentially a "success" story; and because of its straightforward simplicity, its lightness of touch, and its keen psychological delineations of character, I believe it to be a book of absorbing interest to the general reader, and an invaluable instrument of recovery for the unhappy drunkard.
It was very necessary for a book of this sort to be written from the British angle. I believe that what is a most difficult task has been done in an admirable manner and that we British members of Alcoholics Anonymous now have a textbook for our Twelfth Step activities that will be the standard work on this subject for many years to come.
ESMÉ (formerly Hon. General Secretary of Alcoholics Anonymous, London)
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From the dust jacket:
“On seeing this book, one immediately thinks of that friend of whom it is whispered "I'm afraid he-or she-is drinking too much." Such whispering is encouraged with a conspiracy of silence by which the family seek to hide their problem, often until it is too late for the victim to avoid disaster. This book is a narration of both success and failure in dealing with alcoholism as a disease, by an actor, who, with the aid of Alcoholics Anonymous, accepted the challenge of alcohol and won. Victory is a triumphant note in this vivid story of men and women who have laughed and cried with Bacchus. It will light the road to freedom and gladden the hearts of those who feel frustrated and baffled by any degree of addiction. Whatever their problem, give this book to the unhappy and the sorrowing: it will give them comfort and hope. Read it yourself and discover the sunlit horizon awaiting those who dare to venture with Faith”
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The book is in very good condition minimal wear. Moderate toning to the pages. This book contains the dust jacket and is in good condition with edge wear, portion of the front flap is cut off, and rubbing marks from use.
Please view all of the photos for the conditions.