{"product_id":"varieties-of-religious-experience-william-james-1904","title":"The Varieties of Religious Experience — William James Tenth Impression — July 1904","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn early 1904 printing of William James’s landmark work, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e—one of the most influential books associated with the spiritual foundations of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFirst published in 1902, the book grew from James’s Gifford Lectures on natural religion, delivered at the University of Edinburgh in 1901 and 1902. Rather than concentrating on theology or organized religion, James examined the personal experience of conversion, surrender, spiritual awakening, and the lasting transformation that can follow profound inner change. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy is the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTenth Impression, issued in July 1904\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, only two years after the book’s original publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam James and Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Varieties of Religious Experience\u003c\/i\u003e holds a special place in A.A. history because of its influence on Bill W.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDuring Bill’s final hospitalization at Towns Hospital in December 1934, Ebby T. brought him a copy of the book. Bill later recalled that he “devoured it” and found particular meaning in James’s observation that profound spiritual change often occurred in people who had experienced complete personal defeat. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOne important historical clarification is that Bill read the book \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eafter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e his celebrated spiritual experience at Towns Hospital, not while it was occurring. A.A.’s archival publication specifically describes James’s book as having been read by Bill following that experience. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe ideas Bill encountered in James helped him interpret what had happened and gave intellectual support to the belief that a conversion or spiritual experience could produce a genuine and lasting change in motivation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWilliam James and \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Varieties of Religious Experience\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e are also recognized in A.A.’s official historical timeline as important influences on the methods used by Bill W. and Dr. Bob as they carried the message to other alcoholics. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eJames was interested primarily in direct religious experience rather than doctrine or institutional authority. Throughout the book, he examines conversion, mysticism, surrender, divided personality, saintliness, prayer, and the practical effects of spiritual belief on human life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis approach was psychological and philosophical rather than devotional. He asked not simply where an experience came from, but what effect it produced in the life of the person who underwent it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThat emphasis on experience, transformation, and practical results helps explain why the book became so meaningful within early Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e William James\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Longmans, Green, and Co.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eImpression:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Tenth Impression\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e July 1904\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst published:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e 1902\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContent:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e The Gifford Lectures on Natural Religion delivered at Edinburgh in 1901–1902\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Original hardcover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe book is in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003egood condition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e for an early 1904 printing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original binding shows fading, rubbing, and general wear to the covers and spine. The spine lettering is worn but remains visible. The corners and spine ends show additional age-related wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe interior pages display expected toning but remain complete and readable. A bookseller’s stamp appears on the second page. No other writing or markings were observed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the condition and appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis early printing is collectible both as an important work of American psychology and philosophy and as one of the books most closely associated with Bill W.’s understanding of spiritual experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt is not the specific copy read by Bill W., but it is an edition from the same early publishing period—issued thirty years before Ebby T. placed the work in Bill’s hands at Towns Hospital.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA meaningful addition to a collection focused on William James, the spiritual influences behind Alcoholics Anonymous, or the books that helped shape Bill W.’s interpretation of recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49869915848946,"sku":null,"price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/products\/image_469d3ed1-308f-4734-b7f9-0002971103aa.jpg?v=1663740767","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/varieties-of-religious-experience-william-james-1904","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}