Above us, at the International Convention at St. Louis in 1955, floated a banner on which was inscribed the then new symbol for A.A., a circle enclosing a triangle. The circle stands for the whole world of A.A., and the triangle stands for A.A.’s Three Legacies: Recovery, Unity, and Service. It is perhaps no accidentContinue reading “Circle & Triangle – As Bill Sees It #307”
Category Archives: AA History
In Memory Of Dr. Sam – Grapevine Article January 1964 By Bill W.
ON Thursday, October 31, 1963 Dr. Sam Shoemaker, the great Episcopal clergyman and first friend of AA, passed from our sight and hearing. He was one of those few without whose ministration AA could never have been born in the first place–nor prospered since. From his teaching, Dr. Bob and I absorbed most of theContinue reading “In Memory Of Dr. Sam – Grapevine Article January 1964 By Bill W.”
Frank Buchman and Alcoholics Anonymous – An Apology That Inspired A Million Amends By Jay Stinnett
When we read in the Big Book that “resentment is the number one offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else” (BB p.64) ; we may not have a real perspective on how fundamental the amends process has been to AA’s success in enabling us to stay sober one day at a time. You mightContinue reading “Frank Buchman and Alcoholics Anonymous – An Apology That Inspired A Million Amends By Jay Stinnett”
Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.
MAY A SPECIAL shaft of serenity shine upon some alcoholic who thought up and shared that pleasant word “long-timer” instead of “old-timer.” I must reciprocate with some long-time views! One month ago, I shared my thirty-fifth AA birthday on a Sunday night at a meeting in Rondebosch. There was no banquet, no bells, not evenContinue reading “Some Longtime Views – Grapevine Article March 1984 By P.O.”
Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.
An Ohio member expresses her love of our braille literature in a May 1957 Grapevine article This morning it arrived just like that—I mean the Big Book in braille! The postman placed in my arms four of those six precious volumes, cautioning me to not drop them. Drop them—how could I? This for which IContinue reading “Let There Be Light – Grapevine Article November 2025 By Elsie T.”
I Stand At The Door – Recovery Poem By Sam Shoemaker (Who Bill W Describes As A Co-Founder of AA)
In our monthly speaker meeting, Rachel M. read this powerful poem written by Sam Shoemaker who Bill W describes as an AA co-founder. You may also find Sam’s Grapevine article entitled ‘“The Spiritual Angle of AA” worthwhile. Sam Shoemaker(1893-1963) was an Episcopal priest who was instrumental in the Oxford Group and founding principles of AlcoholicsContinue reading “I Stand At The Door – Recovery Poem By Sam Shoemaker (Who Bill W Describes As A Co-Founder of AA)”
Editorial By Bill – Grapevine Article November 1958 By Bill W
THIS is Thanksgiving time; our gratitude should certainly be boundless. Twenty-four years ago this month, I landed in a hospital for the last time. Then and there I received the gift of sobriety. Like all who have since joined AA’s ranks, I was given a chance to choose what I would do with my newContinue reading “Editorial By Bill – Grapevine Article November 1958 By Bill W”
The Spiritual Alibi – As Bill Sees It #193
Our first attempts at inventories are apt to prove very unrealistic. I used to be a champ at unrealistic self-appraisal. On certain occasions, I wanted to look only at the part of my life which seemed good. Then I would greatly exaggerate whatever virtues I supposed I had attained. Next I would congratulate myself onContinue reading “The Spiritual Alibi – As Bill Sees It #193”
Our Problem Centers In The Mind – As Bill Sees It #130
We know that as long as the alcoholic keeps away from drink, he usually reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes any alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, in both the bodily and the mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop. The experience ofContinue reading “Our Problem Centers In The Mind – As Bill Sees It #130”
The Answer In The Mirror – As Bill Sees It #225
While drinking, we were certain that our intelligence, backed by will power, could rightly control our inner lives and guarantee us success in the world around us. This brave philosophy, wherein each man played God, sounded good in the speaking, but it still had to meet the acid test: How well did it actually work?Continue reading “The Answer In The Mirror – As Bill Sees It #225”