AA Pioneers sordid history?

[Puddy]

Where can I find info on them crazy AA Pioneers - the not very flattering stuff. I've heard through the (lower case) grapevine some very sordid stories and I can't find them anywhere on the internet.

I admit it, I'm very shallow and this is my idea of good reading material.

[yukonm]

I don't know about sordid stories but here is a link:
Authors of the Stories from the Book,
A L C O H O L I C S A N O N Y M O U S
The person behind the stories -who they are and a brief biography.
Authors of the Stories from the Book, A L C O H O L I C S **A N O N Y M O U S

[Sugah]

lol...I'm trying to imagine a drunk with a flattering background.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[CAPTAINZING2000]

Originally Posted by Sugah

lol...I'm trying to imagine a drunk with a flattering background.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

Only at an AA meeting can people tell their sordid crap and no one blink an eye

[CarolD]

Isn't it wonderous who God chooses to be His voice
for the good of humanity?

For instance.....here are the personal stories
first hand accounts....from the 1st. Edition

AA Big Book -- The Stories

[Tommyh]

we could all qualify for solid soridness

[navysteve]

You often have to step outside the almighty conference approved literature to find what you are looking for but beware, AA is much like jerry Springer in our fact finding ability. We prefer sensationalism over substance. Susan Cheever, Ernest Kuntz have written some very real portayals of our floundering fathers. I wouldn't call it sordid just authentic. Pass it On and Dr Bob and the good ole timers do allude to some of the less than saintly behaviors of our esteemed elders. Cheevers book has me more convinced Wilson was touched by God because in spite of his blatant humanity he still accomplished what he did

[Music]

I don't figure I'm much different from the drunks of old. So, all I have to do is take a good look at myself. I can get all the sordid I care to find out about.

[jimhere]

After all, it is my dark past (and sometimes my dark present) that is my greatest asset.

I like what Carol said. God uses what is at hand, In other words, God uses us as we are, not how we think we ought to be. It isn't my virtues that make me useful in AA and it isn't my virtues that bring me to God.

But if you are looking for a good biography, try "Mrs. Marty Mann-The First Lady of Alcoholics Anonymous," by Sally Brown & David R. Brown

Jim

[CarolD]

Hmm....
From what I've seen shared on SR by our members
we don't have to be concerned about the
AA pioneers back history.

We've all got our own.
That's why we can share with others effectively.


Here are some of ours....

Stories of Recovery - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

[Boleo]

Thank God Bill Wilson was no saint. If he had been I never would have tried to follow in his footsteps.

[navysteve]

Thank God Bill Wilson was no saint. If he had been I never would have tried to follow in his footsteps.

I relate to Bill more because he wasn't a saint. He shows me that sobriety is attainable for all.

[jimhere]

All this stuff is pretty common knowledge, I don't even give it much thought anymore.

I did read a really good biography about Marty Mann's life. And while I was reading it, I found out something I didn't know. At 20+ years of sobriety she relapsed. It was covered up and she wouldn't talk about it. After she got sober again she still claimed to be the longest sober woman in A.A. up to the time of her death.

The book is called "Mrs. Marty Mann: The First Lady Of Alcoholics Anonymous," by Sally Brown & David R, Brown

Marty Mann's story is a good example of what happens when you put an alcoholic with a big ego on a pedestal and make a personality out them and they buy their own press report.
Jim

[tomvlll]

Originally Posted by jimhere

All this stuff is pretty common knowledge, I don't even give it much thought anymore.

I did read a really good biography about Marty Mann's life. And while I was reading it, I found out something I didn't know. At 20+ years of sobriety she relapsed. It was covered up and she wouldn't talk about it. After she got sober again she still claimed to be the longest sober woman in A.A. up to the time of her death.

The book is called "Mrs. Marty Mann: The First Lady Of Alcoholics Anonymous," by Sally Brown & David R, Brown

Marty Mann's story is a good example of what happens when you put an alcoholic with a big ego on a pedestal and make a personality out them and they buy their own press report.
Jim

Interesting.
Didn't they used to keep track of total sober time vs. continous sobriety?

[jimhere]

Originally Posted by tomvlll

Interesting.
Didn't they used to keep track of total sober time vs. continous sobriety?

Not that I am aware of. If that is the case then I can claim, oh let's see, probably a year and a half more sober time than I actually do.

But that's bullshit. It was all about two things-Marty Mann's ego and those close to her, including Bill Wilson, who was her sponsor did not want to tarnish the AA name. Marty was pretty prominent, you know.

[Boleo]

Originally Posted by tomvlll

Interesting.
Didn't they used to keep track of total sober time vs. continous sobriety?

Clarence S. of Cleveland kept track of sober time in his area but the sad truth is that in New York only about 1 in 20 stayed sober. Much as it is today.

[Puddy]

Thanks all, and yes I know we all have a sordid past, and yes I know we wouldn't have ever listened to Bill Wilson if he was a saintly man, but I still just want to read the lurid details of our pioneers. For the sheer hell of it.

[ElegantlyWasted]

Wow!! I'm not the only one with skeletons here? I must be in good company. Day 100 this time.

[Puddy]

Oh yeah, I was thinking more the sordid stuff they did in the fellowship after they were sober

[Boleo]

A good source for AA history - both good & bad:

Alcoholics Anonymous Archival and Historical Materials Part 1

[tomvlll]

Originally Posted by ElegantlyWasted

Wow!! I'm not the only one with skeletons here? I must be in good company. Day 100 this time.

Yeah, this ain't the fellowship of Eagle Scouts or citizens of the year.
< not to say a few of those aren't in it>.

Did you ever stop to wonder how amazing it is that AA has such a favorable reputation given what you have to do to be a member.

[Tommyh]

I had heard Marty got drunk in the late 50`s or early 60`s and then sobered up again and carried on like not much had happened.

Yea Tom,we have to do a lot of pretty sick things to get here,and sometimes I used to think I was "spiritually better" than those Church folks out there...

[jimhere]

"I had heard Marty got drunk in the late 50`s or early 60`s and then sobered up again and carried on like not much had happened."

Yeah Tommy, that is pretty much the way it was described in her biography.

I've made the statement before that time away from a drink is status in A.A. At least in our minds. I've talked to people that would rather blow their heads off than drink again and give up their time/status. Marty Mann's story pretty much confirms that, only she didn't blow her head off. She just lied and quite a few others lied for her as well.

[CarolD]

I simply don't understand the fascination some of
you have for negetive muck raking.
I don't see how this is helping anyone to recover
or attract a newcomer to AA.

It's disheartening to me to read this thread.

[Pinkcuda]

Well, we're not Saints ya know.