Bill W.: A Biography of Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounder Bill Wilson

I've been a "friend" of Bill and Dr. Bob since Christmas 1990, and have read a lot of material, both "conference approved" and other, and this book is probably the best biography of Bill W. that I've come across. I have to disagree with the reviewers who gave this work a low rating... I do not see this biography as a "hatchet job" or any sort of attempt to demean or diminish the memory of Bill Wilson.Bill was not saint, and he never really sought sainthood. If some hold him to saintly standards or infallible behavior, those depictions were\are pressed on him.Hartigan successfully describes Bill's childhood, young adulthood, service years, marriage and the early years of AA's struggles in great detail. Until I read this book, I knew from other readings that Bill had many faults, but I did not fully appreciate the depth of his alcoholic behavior, and its effect on both Bill and Lois. I also did not appreciate the severity Bill's lifelong struggle with deep depression.This biography also does a good job putting context and details to Bill's lesser known "adventures" which folks hostile to AA use to discredit Bill and the AA program.Bill experimented with LSD, starting in the 50's and into the 60's... starting when the drug was legal and being investigated for psychotherapeutic potential to help alcoholics and schizophrenics.Bill actively promoted niacin for alcoholics, dragging the AA name into this promotion, but it was out of enthusiasm and hope to help the still suffering alcoholic. He was called to task for this, and the AA name removed from such endorsements.Bill was unfaithful to Lois and maintained long term relationships outside his marriage. This biography, written by the personal secretary to Lois at the end of her long life, makes no excuses for this behavior, but does add context.I came away with greater appreciation of Bill Wilson, the man, who overcame many serious problems to help create an organization that has helped many thousands of people live better lives.

Faced with an AA member's nutty behavior, one AA sponsor used to comment, "We're here because we're not all there." Bill W almost killed himself drinking because he was not all there; even sober he had character faults and quirks--no surprise. What is surprising is how well he capitalized on his strengths to build a program that has delivered countless other alcoholics from a dismal death. So let us just take his defects in stride and get on with the program: principles before personalities. I had just finished "Pass It On" (1984, before Lois' death) and read this biography (2000) to fill me in on details the earlier one had glossed over; I wasn't disappointed. One doesn't read "Bill W" for the writer's prose style, which is adequate to the job but not elegant. What is shocking is the large number of errors/typos littering the ebook--over 30 by my count and easy to mark and track on the iPad. For example, the tombstone inscription says the soldier died from drinking "could [should be cold] small beer." I have no idea how this book was processed into Kindle, but they need a new process or an old-fashioned proofreader [like me].

Both a genius and a crazy man! There can be no doubt his devote allegiance to getting mankind sober. But what he endured to do so, and what his wife Lois endured , is nearly unbelievable. Thank you both for your intention and willingness to sacrifice all for alcoholics like me.

Well written and the content flowed in a way that kept me wanting to get to the end. I believe the author presented the info, which was at times difficult due to Bill W.s flaws, in a compassionate manner. It is evident that the author spent a lot of time with Lois. Her personality was finally revealed to me as a human and long-suffering spouse even after Bill's death. The book brought Lois out of the long shadow of her husband Bill. Lois had some victorian thinking which may have contributed to Bill Ws extracurricular activities. I say this not to judge but to try and understand them and their relationship. I kept looking for evidence that Bill may have had some children somewhere as the times in which he lived did not have the protection that we have today. This book is worth a re-read and I will keep it among the rest of our AA Books.

An honest revealing story about the founder of A.A. Not sugar coating as some of his biographies are. Shows he was an imperfect human being as we all are, and that some of his most glaring character defects stayed with him until he died. He is not a God as some in AA would portray him but the Program he instituted has saved the lives of many millions of Alcoholics World Wide. Although AA is purported not to be a religious program, you have to wonder as it was based on the Oxford Group, a stern and bigoted religious organization formed during the early twentieth century. Bill was the one who put in " turn our lives and will over to the care of God as we understood him" Actually, I read somewhere that he didn't want to do this but the other members were adamant about him doing so. The book was written by Richard Hartigan, Lois Wilson's secretary and his sources are reliable. I felt most disturbed about how shabbily he treated his loyal, unselfish wife. He didn't change in this regard even during the time he was in the program which was a big disappointment to me. However his work for alcoholics is immeasurable. He was not a Saint but he accomplished a life saving program for people with an addiction for Alcohol.

Nicely written with fairness that allows us to meet Bill W in his trials, failures, flaws, victories and personal growth. Here is real story about a real person of great importance that does not denigrate into hagioaphry.

If you are having a bad time giving up the booze read this and follow the advice.

Beautiful Thank You