My Name Is Bill: Bill Wilson--His Life and the Creation of Alcoholics Anonymous

Susan Cheever portrays the life of Alcoholic's Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson- from his rural Vermont childhood, his father's early desertion, his dealing with his mother's austere nature; and the influence of his few male friends and adult role models- thru his marriage, several job changes, and the struggle with drinking that led to that faithful day in 1935 when he met Bob Smith, an Ohio doctor and alcoholic, and together they discovered the therapeutic value of one alcoholic helping another. Influence by the Oxford Group and Dr. Silkworth at Towns Hospital, who believed that alcoholism was a disease similar to an allergy, are discussed. In 1935, Wilson's constant interaction with Bob Smith laid a foundation for the program that came to be known as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)- although they initially worked their recovery within the framework of the Oxford Group until 1937, when some Oxford members thought they were not 'maximum' enough. The initial struggles of AA are described, including the editing and publishing of the Alcoholics Anonymous book (better known as the Big Book) in 1939. After a very favorable article on AA in March of 1941 on the Saturday Evening Post, membership in the fellowship skyrocketed from 1,500 to 30,00 members in 1946. With AA's growth, many groups developed their own complex set of rules. Bill Wilson synthesized the development of simple guidelines which eventually became AA's Traditions, which were accepted worldwide by 1950. By then Wilson and Smith had turned the running of AA to others. Cheever also covers Wilson's controversial failed experimentation with LSD between 1956 and 1959. The author also digs into Bill Wilson's struggle with depression and emphysema, the latter leading to his death in 1971. During several times during his last sad days of illness, Bill Wilson still had a craving for alcohol. As somebody with nearly 13 years in recovery, I greatly enjoyed reading the biography of this AA co-founder. This book is a must read for those seeking an understanding of the life of this co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. It partly inspired my to narrate my own experience with addiction and recovery in Out of Numbness.

I believe a great deal of Bill's psychological damage was a result of a sense of abandonment by not just one but both parents. Even at nine or ten I believe most children take it personal. Subconsciously it makes them feel they must be lacking in some way. My opinion includes personal experience. Mrs. Cheever's details of Bill's early life make this even more palpable. I believe it was a void that alcohol helped fill for a while. Along with the physical allergy this made Bill a prime candidate for alcoholism. He must have recognized this as his sober years progressed. I thought Susan's book shed additional light and insight into Bill the man. His complexities, great talents and shortcomings. I also wonder why Bill couldn't have arranged some type of more private AA meetings he could have attended. This idea that he would be overwhelmed by intrusions any and everywhere don't quiet add up. I am also puzzled by his involvement with Huxley, Heard and LSD. Hadn't Bill had a spiritual experience w/o chemical inducement. Maybe Bill felt he had outgrown AA in some ways. Was there more ego involved than he realized? These are questions Ms. Cheever's book raises for those who really would like to know this historic but fallible man more deeply. JDA from Ga.

This book gave me a better perspective of Bill W. The man was human with flaws. But, was the right person at the right time in history. This book enhances his legacy and provides good background. Recommend!

Very well written and informative. Divided into short paragraphs that go quickly.I found a few errors like she has the Akron AA group leaving the Oxford Groups in 1942 instead of late 1939 but nothing major. A good handling of Bill Wilson, warts and all.Highly recommended.

Bill Wilson was an absolutely amazing man. His sacrificial dedication to helping deliver millions of men and women from th scourge of alcoholism is well recounted in this book. The founding of AA with the writing of the Big Book by Bill and Dr. Bob provided a way out, in effect a solution , for Those suffering with the fatal and progressive disease of Alcoholism. This for those who could not by their own will power achieve sobriety was to them a miracle. Yet Bill , though brilliant and a dedicated servant of humanity, and sober, had so many faults and weaknesses . The complexity of Bill as a man is so well addressed in this book by the author. While those who can or could not "drink responsibly " might find this book more interesting than others it is a worthwhile read for anyone about a man who dedicated his life to helping suffering people through out the world achieve the miraculous recovery of sobriety.

This book has been out for some time, and I bought it on the recommendation of a friend. Susan Cheever is the daughter of the well known novelist, a writer who has been through 12 step recovery and wrote a memoir of her alcoholic and depressed father. She did a considerable amount of research, and fairly describes Wilson's later years. It is interesting to read this in conjunction with Don Lattin's book about Wilson, Gerald Heard and Aldous Huxley, who experimented with LSD before it became notorious. Bill Wilson was a complex man, something of a huckster and no saint but he had the ability to change course when headed for disaster. This will be of interest to those in recovery, maybe less so for the unaddicted. The book is respectful but not worshipful and fair minded.

Gave me insight into the founding of AA and the writing of the Big Book. Some of the chapters in the Big Book, which seemed a little odd, make more sense.Also great background on why the Traditions and Principles were encoded.Very useful book for anyone trodding the road of Happy Destiny.

Didn't avoid some awkward facts but absorbing book.

Great biography of a great man

The founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.A must read for anyone having this problem.

Good!

Bought this book for a friend who was very happy to receive it.