Pioneer Stories in Alcoholics Anonymous: God's Role in Recovery Confirmed!
Dick B., J.D., CDAAC, is an active, recovered member of Alcoholics Anonymous; a retired attorney; and a Bible student. He has sponsored more than 100 men in their recovery from alcoholism. Dick’s main Web site is www.DickB.com. He is Executive Director of the International Christian Recovery Coalition (www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com). And he hosts the “Christian Recovery with Dick B.” radio show (www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com). Consistent with A.A.'s traditions of anonymity, he uses the pen name "Dick B." The author received his A.A. degree in economics with honors from U.C. Berkeley, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year. He received his A.B. and J.D. degrees from Stanford University, and was Case Editor of the Stanford Law Review. He was president of a Community Church affiliated with the United Church of Christ. By 1972, he was studying the origins of the Bible and began traveling abroad in pursuit of that subject. In 1986, he was felled by alcoholism, gave up his law practice, and began recovery as a member of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. In 1990, his interest in A.A.'s Christian roots was sparked by his attendance at A.A.'s International Convention in Seattle. Since then, he has traveled widely; researched at archives, and at public and seminary libraries; interviewed scholars, historians, clergy, A.A. "old-timers" and survivors; and participated in conferences, programs, panels, and seminars on early A.A.'s spiritual history. Dick B.’s body of work on the history and successes of early Alcoholics Anonymous includes seminars, books, articles, radio interviews, videos, audio cassettes tapes, audio blog talks, and newspaper articles. It shows how the basic, and highly-successful, biblical ideas used by early AAs can be valuable tools for success in today's A.A., and focus on the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.’s astonishing successes. The author has had 46 titles published about the history and successes of early A.A. In addition, the author has published over 1,250 articles and more than 100 audio talks. Much of Dick B.’s research and writing is done in collaboration with his older son, Ken, who holds a B.A. degree in Rhetoric from U.C. Berkeley and an M.A. degree in Speech Communication from San Francisco State University. Dick is a member of various associations and societies, including the American Historical Association. He speaks at conferences, panels, seminars, and interviews.