|
|
AA TALKS BY BIG BOOK STORY AUTHORS Alcoholics Anonymous talks given by people who have had their stories printed in the back of the Big Books |
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - MIAMI, FL JULY 1970
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. This is one of Dr Paul’s earlier Alcoholics Anonymous talks. This was recorded in July of 1970 at the 5th International AA Conference in Miami, Florida. This is the conference where Bill Wilson made his last talk. Even at this early point in Dr Paul’s sobriety, he’s already developed his humorous speaking style. He’s making the crowd laugh and his voice sounds like a cross between Wally Cox and Truman Capote. He’s got a great message and tells an interesting story about the hospital where he once worked. Dr Paul was called in to pronounce someone “dead” but the diseased family members refused to take his word for it because he was obviously very drunk when he did this. The audio quality of this recording isn’t the greatest but every word is still understandable.
Contents – 6 Tracks
Length – 25 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - MONTEREY, CA 8-29-97
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. Dr Paul delivered this talk on August 29th, 1997 at the Monterey Bay Area Roundup. Dr Paul uses one of Bill Wilson’s quotations; He says that our primary purpose is to carry the message to other alcoholics. One of the best ways we can carry the message is filling the seats at AA meetings, becoming active and helping out the newcomer. The newcomer is really the life-blood of this fellowship. He tells the newcomers, “We’re so glad you’re here, we don’t even care if YOU’RE glad you’re here.” “If you’re a newcomer and you’re really, really happy to be here tonight, we probably won’t be able to help you…… at least not until you get off of whatever you’re on.” He says a prayer before he has to speak at an AA meeting. He tells his higher power, “I offer myself and this situation to you to do with as you wish. Now I would like it to turn out phenomenally successful….But if you have it in your mind that this is the night for me to make a complete fool of myself……..at least one of us will have a good time.” This AA talk, like all of Dr Paul’s talks are filled with very humorously told stories about sobriety. He is much loved by his audiences and he will be truly missed.
Contents – 11 Tracks
Length – 55 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - OMAHA, NE 8-21-83
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. Dr Paul was often called, “The Funniest Man in AA,” and after hearing this recording, you’ll definitely agree. This AA talk was recorded at the 6th Cornhusker Roundup in Omaha, Nebraska on August 21st, 1983. Very enjoyable to listen to, as usual, Dr Paul puts a very funny spin on having blackouts. He says he could never figure out how to recall something that was never recorded in the first place. Once he started drinking, his brain cells all got together and decided to take the night off because “He’s” drinking anyway. He says if he’s not enjoying his sobriety, then he must not be doing it right. Dr Paul also gives much insight into the disease of alcoholism. He winds up his talk by describing what he feels it will be like after he dies and is being interviewed by God. Great talk.
Contents – 14 Tracks
Length – 69 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - PACIFIC GROVE, CA 1991
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. Dr Paul recorded this talk in Pacific Grove, California at the Santa Monica Way of Life Group. He tells the crowd that being a practicing alcoholic and a practicing physician at the same time was the hardest thing he’s ever done. Dr Paul says he’s never abused pills; he’s always taken very good care of them. He describes a practicing alcoholic as a person who has the ability to generate a great deal of love but lacks the ability to express that love or to accept love from others. Dr Paul is a big proponent of “spontaneous spirituality,” meaning that whenever he has free time during the day, he meditates and makes contact with his higher power.
Contents – 10 Tracks
Length – 46 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2-26-00
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. Dr. Paul recorded this AA talk on February 26th, 2000 at Sober Vacation #22.
Contents – 10 Tracks
Length – 48 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - PURCHASE, NY 1994
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. Dr Paul delivered this talk in 1994 at the Suny Auditorium at Purchase, New York to the Greenwich, CT Friday Night group. He begins this talk by asking everyone in the crowd to stand up and give a hug to the person in front of them and the person behind them. He said he does this because it seems to generate a lot of warmth in the room. Most of Dr Paul’s talk is done in a very tongue-in-cheek manner. He said he was not an alcoholic when he went to his first AA meeting but he eventually caught the “virus” because he attended one too many meetings. His alcoholism got worse from there because he kept getting “re-infected” every time he went to another meeting. The crowd is continually roaring with laughter. Dr Paul says that not only is Alcoholism a progressive disease but recovery from it is also progressive. His recovery keeps getting better and better all the time. “Anyone here tonight that is not an alcoholic, must be very, very careful. Make sure that you keep your mind wide open and allow everything you here to go in one ear and out the other – otherwise you will catch this disease just like I did.” Dr Paul set up a contract with his higher power. He gave his higher power 51% controlling interest in his life. His higher power was in charge of Worry and Dr Paul was in charge of WORK. His higher power doesn’t really want any help with WORRY and he sure as hell doesn’t do any of the work. “You’re gonna have to learn to enjoy life whether you like it or not”
Contents – 12 Tracks
Length – 58 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - READING HIS STORY FROM THE BIG BOOK
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This is not an Alcoholics Anonymous talk by Doctor Paul. In this unique recording, Dr Paul, in a very intimate setting, reads the story that he wrote for the AA Big Book, Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict. We’re not sure exactly where or when he made this recording but it sounds as if he’s just sitting at home speaking into a small audio recorder. A very interesting recording.
Contents – 6 Tracks
Length – 28 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - SAN ANTONIO, TX JUNE 1986
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. This is another great Alcoholics Anonymous talk given by the “Funniest Man in AA.” Dr Paul grew up in a drug store in Canton, Ohio. He gives some very clever reasons why he used to drink; because it was day, because it was night, because it was raining, because it was sunny, etc. Dr Paul mentions several brands of alcohol that he used to drink. He always had trouble getting rid of the empty bottles. Dr Paul talks about our past becoming our most prized possession.
Contents – 14 Tracks
Length – 69 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - WOODLANDS, TX NOVEMBER 1987
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. Dr Paul applies his excellent sense of humor to most of the things he talks about in his leads. For instance, he starts out this talk by saying, “My name is Paul and I’m a very mild alcoholic.” He says that not all of the people in his head are alcoholics, just some of them. But the alcoholics usually are speaking the loudest. Some of these voices have suggested that he do some illegal and sometimes lewd things. Dr Paul says that the problem he has always had with committing suicide is that ideally he thought it should appear that he died while performing a heroic act but he could never figure out how to do that. Dr Paul finishes his talk by saying to the newcomer, “If you decide to enjoy it, we won’t charge you anything extra.”
Contents – 12 Tracks
Length – 57 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
DR PAUL OHLIGER - YOSEMITE, CA 11-22-87
Dr Paul is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “DOCTOR, ALCOHOLIC, ADDICT.”
This story was renamed, “ACCEPTANCE WAS THE ANSWER” in the 4th Edition. Dr Paul recorded this AA talk at the Yosemite Summit Conference in Yosemite, California on November 22nd, 1987. As always, Dr Paul's talk is filled with much humor and his somewhat weird way of looking at the disease of alcoholism. He has been called the Funniest Man in AA.
Contents - 13 Tracks
Length - 61 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
ESTHER ELIZARDI - DALLAS, TX 1950
Esther is the author of the Big Book Story, "A FLOWER OF THE SOUTH,"
This story first appeared in the 2nd edition of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Esther recorded this relatively short Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the Dallas State Conference in Dallas, Texas in 1950. Esther has been "dry" since May of 1941. She says that she always had feelings of inadequacy. She never realized what alcohol could do for her until the day of her wedding. She drank a glass of whisky that kicked in right as she was walking down the aisle. Esther says around 1932, her drinking became the source of comments by family and friends. He husband finally confronted her about the drinking and he arranged for her to go to a doctor. She was committed to a psychiatric hospital. That experience was the worst in her life. Esther later actually got arrested for walking her dog while being drunk. Shortly after being released from jail, her husband presented her with the March 1st, 1941 issue of the Saturday Evening Post. She read the Jack Alexander article and became very inspired. Esther was inspired because she finally realized that she was not alone. From that very moment she developed a strong willingness to do something about her alcoholism. The quality of this recording is not perfect. It's an old recording that we'd rate it about a 7 out of 10.
Contents - 3 Tracks
Length - 16 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
ESTHER ELIZARDI - LUBBOCK, TX 1-1-54
Esther is the author of the Big Book Story, “A FLOWER OF THE SOUTH,”
This story first appeared in the 2nd edition of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Esther recorded this AA talk in Lubbock, Texas on January 1st, 1954. She is introduced as, “The Mammy of AA in the Southwest.” Esther starts her talk by stating that she was “Dry” for 12 years as of yesterday. She grew up in New Orleans in an Episcopalian home and there was always wine on the dinner table. Her early home life was very happy. Esther says her father was very indulgent. It’s only now, after getting sober that she realizes she was always maladjusted. In 1931 while living in Dallas, Texas and having been married for seven years, she decided she wanted a divorce. It was at that point that her drinking really took off. Esther eventually ended up in the “Booby Hatch.” She spent 17 days in there and came out worse than she was when she went in. Esther fondly recalls her last conversation with Dr Bob. Near the end of the talk, she gives the newcomer some hope by saying, “I believe that AA is within the reach of every alcoholic. If there is anyone here for the first time, I would like to leave you with the feeling that there is no situation too difficult, none too desperate and no challenge too great that it can’t be overcome by this great life-saving movement of Alcoholics Anonymous.” Because of the age of the original tape, the quality of this recording is somewhat less than perfect, however the words are understandable and her message is clear.
Contents – 6 Tracks
Length – 26 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
ETHYL MACY - AKRON, OH 9-25-60
Ethyl is the author of the 2nd & 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “FROM FARM TO CITY.”
This is a rare recording of Ethyl Macy. Ethyl was the first woman to get sober through AA in Akron, Ohio. This talk was made on September 25th, 1960 at the Waters Park Group in Akron, Ohio. Ethyl was 70 years old and 19 years sober. Ethel's date of sobriety was May 8, 1941. In this talk, Ethyl tells us that she really hates to lead meetings and that why she rarely does it anymore. She is originally from Ravenna, Ohio. Her husband was also an alcoholic. She feels she became an alcoholic when she decided to join her husband in his drinking instead of fighting him. Ethyl once got arrested for drunken driving. She was very embarrassed because her arrest was in all the local newspapers. Her husband had read about Cleveland Indian’s catcher, Rollie Hemsley in the newspaper and after that they hooked up with AA. Ethyl became very close to both Henrietta’s, Seiberling & Dotson. After her talk, several people thank her and comment on her lead. Ethyl passed away on April 9, 1963.
Contents – 10 Tracks
Length - 50 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
ETHYL MACY - PARKERSBURG, WV SEPTEMBER 1961
Ethyl is the author of the 2nd & 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “FROM FARM TO CITY.”
AA pioneer, Ethel Macy tells her story at the West Virginia State Conference in Parkersburg, West Virginia. This is a very good talk by Ethyl who shares among other things, how she coped with the painful loss of her husband during the early years of her sobriety.
Contents - 6 Tracks
Length - 29 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JIM BURWELL - AA HISTORY - SACRAMENTO, CA 6-15-57
Jim is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “THE VICIOUS CYCLE.”
Jim recorded this talk about the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous in Sacramento, California on June 15th, 1957. Jim is introduced as the man who insisted that the words, “As You Understand Him” be added after God in the AA Big Book. He had his last drink on June 15th, 1938. Jim tells about his first meeting with Bill Wilson and Hank Parkhurst. He speaks of meeting Fitz Mayo. Jim describes some of the very first AA meetings in New York at Bill Wilson’s home on Clinton Street. Bill Wilson would sit in the center of about eight guys and Bill would do most of the talking. Jim talks extensively about how the Big Book was written and put together. Jim says that by the time the Big Book came out there were only eight people who had been sober for more than six months. Jim Tells of the very explosive growth of AA in Cleveland, the Rockefeller meeting and the Venetian blinds salesman that spread the AA message throughout the south. A very old but very informative talk.
Contents – 16 Tracks
Length – 77 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JIM BURWELL - AMARILLO, TX 1-15-52
Jim is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “THE VICIOUS CYCLE.”
Jim recorded this talk at The Top of Texas on January 15th, 1952. Jim was a very early member of Alcoholics Anonymous. This Pioneer tells how AA began and grew. Jim’s sobriety date is June 15, 1938. Jim is known for his agnosticism. He is famous for insisting that the words "God as we understood him" be included in step three. He is written about in the Twelve and Twelve in the traditions section. He is "ED" in the discussion of Tradition Three. He originated the idea of using the AA group as one’s higher power. He had over 25 years of sobriety and passed away in sobriety. This is a very good recording of Jim Burwell recounting the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Contents - 14 Tracks
Length - 71 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JIM BURWELL - SAN DIEGO, CA 8-15-74
Jim is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “THE VICIOUS CYCLE.”
Jim Burwell is an early New York AA who met Bill Wilson and Hank Parkhurst while Bill still lived at 182 Clinton Street (where the hot flash happened in Jim’s words). In this recording, Jim’s own story is intertwined with that of early AA in New York and Bill Wilson. This is an eyewitness account not a talk by a historian. For example, the Rockefeller dinner is not something he read about – he was there. Jim’s story is very interesting. He uses a Forties Era vernacular. He uses terms such as “POWER BOYS” and “GLAMOUR JOBS”. This recording is a good example of how early AAs “qualified.”
Contents – 9 Tracks
Length – 45 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JIM BURWELL - SHREVEPORT, LA - SEPTEMBER 1958
Jim is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “THE VICIOUS CYCLE.”
We don't have a description of the contents of this CD because we have not personally listened to this yet. Please let us know if you have any comments or questions after listening to it.
Contents - 16 Tracks
Length - 77 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JIM S - ST LOUIS, MO JULY 1955
Jim is the author of the Big Book Story, “JIM’S STORY.”
Jim recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the 2nd International AA Convention in St Louis, Missouri in July of 1955. Jim was born in a small town in Virginia to very religious parents. He refers to his mother as a religious fanatic. Because she had a major effect on his life, Jim mentions his mother quite a bit in this talk. When Jim’s drinking began it was strictly weekend drinking. Then the drinking crept into the week. Jim eventually became a doctor and hit one of his many bottoms when in 1941 he had written an unnecessary prescription while drunk. After joining AA Jim originated the first black group.
Contents – 9 Tracks
Length – 44 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JOE MINA
Joe is the author of the 2nd Edition Big Book Story, “JOE’S WOES.”
Joe was the first inmate of Rockland State Hospital released due to the efforts of Bill Wilson and other early members of AA. Joe’s story is about a troubled life that was restored to sanity. He attained sobriety despite calamity. In this recording, Joe tells his story of alcoholism and recovery. His story is very enjoyable and at times, very funny. He tells how he maintained sobriety after the death of his son, with help from Alcoholics Anonymous. This recording documents in Joe’s own words, the experience of the first person released from a commitment to an insane asylum by the intervention of AAs who worked with him to recover. These AAs were Bill Wilson and Joe's Sponsor Bob V. He tells how Bill gave him a Big Book and how he continued with AA upon his release. He tells about his one slip, and his lengthy sobriety in AA. A really great historic AA recording.
Contents - 6 Tracks
Length - 30 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JOHN PARR - AKRON, OH 6-10-79
John is the author of the 2nd Edition Big Book Story, “THE PROFESSOR AND THE PARADOX.”
John recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk during Founder’s Day in Akron, Ohio. John opens his talk by saying, in his great southern accent, that his story was in the 2nd edition of the Big Book but they took it out of the 3rd edition, “The people in the New York office must think that I have died.” John was born in Atlanta, Georgia and became a professor at the University of Alabama. His alcoholism didn’t really take off until he was in his thirties. John says his only claim to fame was that he went to school with Bear Bryant and that he taught freshman English to Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors.) John moved to Ohio in 1962 and joined the faculty of Kent State University. He tells of his hellacious last drinking binge. He explains what he believes to be the four paradoxes of the AA program. This is a really great talk by a very smart man that had a very bad drinking problem.
Contents – 9 Tracks
Length – 42 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JOHN PARR - EL PASO, TX 2-22-71
John is the author of the 2nd Edition Big Book Story, “THE PROFESSOR AND THE PARADOX.”
John, a professor of Shakespeare at Kent State University in Ohio, recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the Ninth El Paso Jamboree in El Paso, Texas on February 22nd, 1971. He was 22 years sober at the time. John’s got a great accent because of living for most of his life in the southern USA. He says he began drinking socially in his late teens but never had a problem with alcohol until he was in his 30s. John became a very violent drunk with a constant feeling of impending calamity. In February of 1949, John had his last bender and decided to join AA. Near the end of this recording, John talks about the four paradoxes of how Alcoholics Anonymous works.
Contents – 10 Tracks
Length – 46 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
JOHN PARR - TUSCALOOSA, AL 10-18-64
John is the author of the 2nd Edition Big Book Story, “THE PROFESSOR AND THE PARADOX.”
John was a professor at Kent State College in Ohio when he recorded this talk in his old home town of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He’s been sober since 1949. He says the striving for perfection is undoubtedly an admirable quality, however when it gets mixed with alcohol it will “cut that person to pieces.” John talks about how alcohol eventually gave him a continual feeling of impending calamity and that only another drink would remove it. “My body’s drinking machinery had worn out.” John, very humorously describes his last drinking binge: a binge that involved, pajamas, a lot of screaming and the Tuscaloosa Police Department. He joined AA just two days after that binge. In addition to telling his own story, John tells how and why AA works. He covers the Four Paradoxes of AA as well. Nice old talk by a good old AA.
Contents – 9 Tracks
Length – 45 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
LYLE PROUSE - ALBUQUERQUE, NM 5-1-99
Lyle is the author of the 4th Edition Big Book Story, “GROUNDED.”
This Alcoholics Anonymous talk was recorded at the 6th Red Road Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 1st, 1999. Lyle is a pilot and tells some great stories. Lyle P is a Native American who grew up on a reservation, became a Marine Corps pilot and then a commercial airline Captain. He tells how his alcoholism progressed throughout his life, how he hit bottom and his eventual recovery. The Red Road Conventions were Open AA Events geared toward Native Americans in recovery. Lyle concludes his talk by saying that recovery has brought him back in touch with his people and their spirituality.
Contents - 15 Tracks
Length - 74 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
LYLE PROUSE - EATONTON, GA
Lyle, from Conyers, Georgia is the author of the 4th Edition Big Book Story, “GROUNDED.” This recording was made at the 42nd Atlanta Men’s Workshop in Eatontown, Georgia. Lyle’s sobriety date is March 7th, 1990. Right off the bat, Lyle tells the story of his highly publicized arrest for flying a Northwest Airline jet while drunk. He goes into great detail about this time in his life. Lyle describes it as the most humiliating, disgraceful and shameful event in his entire life. After sharing this time in his life, Lyle flashes back into his drinking career. Both of Lyle’s parents died from alcoholism. He always suspected that he may have a drinking problem but never confirmed it in his own mind. After much hesitation, Lyle finally accepted his doctor’s advice and went into treatment immediately. At that point he was totally destroyed; mentally, physically and spiritually. Shortly after entering the treatment center, he found out that he had been indicted for his drunken flying incident. He ended up spending 14 months in federal prison. Lyle eventually received a presidential pardon. He was also rehired by Northwest airlines. Near the end, Lyle talks about writing his story for the AA Big Book. A truly great story of recovery and gratitude.
Contents - 15 Tracks
Length - 74 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
LYLE PROUSE - LAKE BROWNWOOD, TX 5-18-02
Lyle is the author of the 4th Edition Big Book Story, “GROUNDED.”
This Alcoholics Anonymous talk is a painful reminder of how alcohol abuse can devastate lives. It’s also a fantastic come-back story of a man who found his way into the Alcoholics Anonymous program. This talk was recorded at the 19th Annual Man-To-Man Conference in Lake Brownwood, Texas on May 18th, 2002. In this talk, Lyle tells of his pride in the many accomplishments in life. He was a pilot in the Marines. He eventually became a pilot for a major commercial airline. But then alcohol became a problem for him and he was about to take a major fall. Someone once told Lyle that if you don’t remember your last drink, then maybe you haven’t had it yet. Lyle will never have a problem remembering his last drink. It was all over the newspapers and TV stations. He was flying for a major airline and as soon as they touched down, Lyle was arrested for “flying drunk.” He found out later that this was a federal offense and he was looking at a possible 15 years in a federal penitentiary and a $250,000 fine. By the time it came to his sentencing, Lyle had been to AA and had made great strides in taking responsibility for his actions. The judge gave him only a 16-month sentence and told him that he would allow him to remain free until all appeals had been exhausted. Lyle had learned to accept “life on life’s terms” to such a degree that he chose to begin serving his sentence immediately. This is truly a very interesting and inspired experience to hear Lyle tell his story.
Contents – 15 Tracks
Length – 72 minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - CHARLOTTE, NC 8-15-68
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
In this Alcoholics Anonymous talk, Marty gives a lot of detail about her first experience with AA. Marty talks about how Horace “Popsy” Maher gave a copy of the AA manuscript to her psychiatrist, Dr Tiebout and Dr Tiebout in turn gave it to her. She tells how Dr Tiebout, “pushed her into AA.” She tells how Popsy was the one to take her to her very first AA meeting at Bill Wilson’s house on Clinton Street in Brooklyn. Marty tells how she was frightened to go into the meeting and how Lois Wilson gave her some words of encouragement. When she finally went into the meeting and began talking with people, she knew she had, “Come Home.” Marty tells about her curious friend, Grennie, who lived at the sanitarium with her. He wanted to know hoe this meeting had gone. She told him, “Grennie, We are not alone anymore.” Marty also gives a very good description of Blythewood Sanitarium. She was there for over a year. She tells about the difficulty Dr Tiebout had with the other members of the psychiatric community when he decided to give AA his endorsement. There’s a lot of interesting historical AA information in this talk.
Contents – 12 Tracks
Length – 59 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - GIRARD, OH 5-19-71
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
Alcoholics Anonymous pioneer, Marty Mann recorded this AA talk in Girard, Ohio on May 19th, 1971. The occasion was the first anniversary of the Tuesday Night Group in Northeastern, Ohio. The meeting was held at the Mahoning Country Club. Even though Marty was from New York, she had a connection with the Youngstown, Ohio area. She had a relative in Youngstown that she visited regularly. Marty's relative had gotten sober in AA after hearing of Marty's success.
Contents - 6 Tracks
Length - 27 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - HOBBS, NM 2-1-54
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
Marty was the founder on National Council on Alcoholism, the first woman in Alcoholics Anonymous with any long term sobriety. In this recording, Marty begins by talking about her own alcoholism and recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous and then speaks about the National Council on Alcoholism. She talks about alcoholism in terms of what is known about it and what can be done about it. This talk was at an event set up to organize an NCA chapter in the Hobbs, New Mexico area. It was attended by local AA and Al Anon members, community leaders, doctors and members of the clergy. This is a very good overall recording of Marty Mann at the height of her career with the NCA. This is a good example of AA at work in our society and changing social attitudes toward the alcoholic from weak criminal to sick but treatable person.
Contents - 12 Tracks
Length - 59 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - LITTLE ROCK, AR 8-1-65
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
Marty recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk in Little Rock, Arkansas at the 1965 Arkansas State Convention. She begins this AA talk by commenting on the film entitled, “BILL’S OWN STORY.” She had recently seen it for the first time and says she was quite moved watching Bill walking up to his writing studio on the hill. Marty tells a funny story about a drinking contest she had with another woman and the wager had gotten up to five thousand dollars. Marty had been drinking heavily while living in England and tried a geographical cure by moving to New York City. Her drinking only got worse. She ended up in Bellevue Hospital. Marty eventually met Dr Harry Tiebout. She realized that her emotional growth had been stopped at age seventeen, the age she began drinking. Marty describes in detail about her bad slip at eight months of sobriety and how Bill Wilson “rescued” her. Marty ends her talk by saying, “What we’ve got is a bright spot in this very sorry world. Let’s treasure it. Let’s keep it bright and let’s pass it on. Thank you.”
Contents – 10 Tracks
Length – 46 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - LONG BEACH, CA 1960
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
At the beginning of this Alcoholics Anonymous talk Marty says that she has been planning for many months to attend this one since she wasn’t able to attend the AA Convention in St Louis. She says it’s been really great experience sitting in an open stadium with the sky up above and hearing the man that made this all possible. In this recording Marty basically tells her story including how inspiring, though very scary it was to attend her first AA meeting in Bill Wilson’s home on Clinton Street in Brooklyn, New York. This is a great talk by an early pioneer of AA and she concludes he talk by saying, “I, for one thank God everyday 100 times that I am an alcoholic recovered in AA.”
Contents – 9 Tracks
Length – 44 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - LOUISVILLE, KY 2-1-66
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
This is a wonderful recording of the first successful woman in the New York City Alcoholics Anonymous Program. Her name is: Marty Mann. She was also the founder of the National Council on Alcoholism which had a lot to do with changing how society views alcoholism. She was a pioneering member of Bill Wilson’s New York City group. Marty was also the author of a couple of books including “Marty Mann’s Primer on Alcoholism.” This recording was made on February 1st 1966 at the Kentucky State Alcoholics Anonymous Conference in Louisville. On this recording Marty relates her story in great detail. There were only about 30 people in Alcoholics Anonymous when she joined and the Big Book was still in manuscript form. Marty took her first drink at age17; alcohol was like magic for her. She soon discovered that alcohol helped her to face life. After her life started to become unmanageable, she sought the help of several New York City Psychiatrists. She had become a round-the-clock drinker at this time but never associated her problems with drinking. The first seven doctors all recommended that she commit herself to a sanitarium. Then she met Dr. Harry Tiebout. Doctor Tiebout gave her a copy of the Big Book manuscript. Later while at a sanitarium out in the country, something finally clicked for her while reading the manuscript and she finally admitted she had a drinking problem. She became good friends with Bill and Lois Wilson and lived with them for a time. Marty tells how that since that time, AA has become the most satisfying and healing thing that has ever been part of her life. This is truly a very inspiring message from a woman who was a big part of the early development of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Contents – 15 Tracks
Length - 74 minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - MIAMI, FL 1970
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.” Marty delivered this Alcoholics Anonymous talk in Miami, Florida in 1970. She begins by sharing the fact that she broke her hip a few months ago and has been out of commission for a while. She was concerned about having too much free time on her hands but the thought of returning to drinking never entered he mind because of the AA program. Marty says that early on in her drinking career, she didn’t think she had a problem, only that she was insane. She talks about how Dr Harry Tiebout gave her a Big Book manuscript. After she got past the “God” aspect she really though the program could help her. She tells of her first AA meeting and how Lois Wilson invited her to join the rest of the group. Marty says she will always have a fondness in her heart for Lois because of that.
Contents - 7 Tracks
Length - 33 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - NEW YORK, NY 1971
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
This is actually an Al Anon talk by Marty Mann. Marty begins her talk by saying that she has a perfect right to be at an Al Anon meeting because a long time ago she divorced her husband because of his drinking. They had lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and she noticed that he was drinking in the mornings. Marty talks about the National Council on Alcoholism and its recognition that the families of alcoholics should be informed about the disease as well as the alcoholics themselves. She goes on to talk about her love of the Al Anon program and that the understanding of the disease of alcoholism helps everyone affected by it.
Contents – 8 Tracks
Length – 41 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - NEW YORK, NY DECEMBER 1952
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
Marty delivered this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the Tudor Group in New York City in December of 1952. Marty says she believes that AA always plants a seed; when people decide not to stick around AA, they have still learned something that may ultimately bring them back. She says that she was not a Panty Waist Drinker or a High Bottom Drunk. ; She was a hardcore alcoholic. During the last five years of her drinking Marty says she needed a lot of alcohol just to get out of bed in the morning. She talks about her doctor, Harry Tiebout, presenting her with a copy of the AA manuscript. The phrase, “We cannot live with anger,” in the manuscript really hit her hard. Good solid talk by Marty.
Contents – 11 Tracks
Length – 56 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - SAN FRANCISCO, CA 10-4-68
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
Marty recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk in San Francisco, California on October 4th, 1968. Marty was also the first woman in AA to achieve lasting sobriety and she was the founder of the National Council on Alcoholism. On this recording, Marty tells her story in considerable detail and talks about living life as a sober alcoholic. Her story is inspiring and her sharing is very informative. She is a recognized expert on alcoholism but she knew a lot about sobriety as well. During the last part of this recording she talks about her fruitful life and many people she came in contact with. She knew Bill and Lois Wilson well and is universally considered an AA pioneer. This recording is one of her best talks and is an excellent opportunity to learn more about alcoholism, sobriety, AA history, and this remarkable woman. This is a very spirited and enjoyable.
Contents - 16 Tracks
Length - 78 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - SAN FRANCISCO, CA 12-11-46
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
This is a very early talk by Alcoholics Anonymous Pioneer, Marty Mann. She was the first woman with any long term sobriety in the Bill Wilson New York City Group. Marty recorded this talk in San Francisco, CA on December 11th, 1946. Because of its age, the recording has a little background noise but is, by all means, very listenable and every word is understandable. Marty gained a lot of knowledge of the AA program in just a few short years and she shares it with her audience. Marty’s talk clearly is from the heart as her gratitude is very obvious. She speaks of the twelve steps. “If we use each of the twelve steps, we will continue to grow and grow in both happiness and intense satisfaction.” Marty speaks of Tolerance, Honesty, Humility, and Love. Marty tells about an incident that happened during her first slip. She was at Bill and Lois Wilson’s house lying in bed because she wasn’t able to sleep. At one point, Lois Wilson came in to check on her, gave her a very big hug and said, “Oh Marty, I wish you could get a little love in your life.” It was that hug that got Marty back on the road to recovery. This is a great historical talk.
Contents – 17 Tracks
Length is 76 minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - ST LOUIS, MO 3-22-72
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
Marty gave this talk in St Louis, Missouri on March 22nd, 1972. The event was the opening of a new chapter for the National Council on Alcoholism. This is a unique talk by Marty in that she doesn’t tell her story as she usually does but speaks about the National Council on Alcoholism and its beginnings. Marty starts this talk by reflecting back on her first trip to St Louis which was in 1944. She had been there again in 1955 at the 2nd International Alcoholics Anonymous Convention. Marty goes on to talk about the early times when she and a very small group of people were attempting to educate communities about the effects of alcoholism. She tells about how “Denial” was and still is the biggest problem with alcoholism; not just for the individual but for entire communities. Nobody wants to admit that there’s a problem in their own back yard. She sums up by stating that it’s her belief that the word will spread about the dangers of alcoholism by “grass roots” communication – one person talking to another.
Contents – 11 Tracks
Length – 55 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MARTY MANN - TORONTO, CANADA JULY 1965
Marty is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “WOMEN SUFFER TOO.”
This Alcoholics Anonymous talk was recorded at the 1965 International AA Convention in Toronto, Canada. This is Marty’s talk at the convention’s big meeting. She tells her story, and talks about alcoholism and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Contents - 6 Tracks
Length - 29 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MAYNARD BERNARD - NEW YORK, NY 6-8-91
Maynard is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “JOIN THE TRIBE.”
Maynard gave this AA talk at the Big Book study seminar at St Johns New York, NY on June 8th, 1991. Maynard is a Native American who was born in Nova Scotia, Canada. He was a very well known person among AA in the region.
Contents - 8 Tracks
Length - 39 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MAYNARD BERNARD - SOBER SUNDAY GROUP ANNIVERSARY
Maynard is the author of the 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “JOIN THE TRIBE.”
Maynard recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the 5th Anniversary of the Sober Sunday Group. Maynard lived, worked, drank, and was jailed all over New England and Eastern Canada. He was active in service work and regularly attended AA conferences and events.
Contents - 4 Tracks
Length - 18 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MORRIS BARBOUR - MADISON, TN 3-23-90
Morris, from Raleigh, North Carolina is the author of the Big Book Story, “A FIVE TIME LOSER WINS.”
Morris gave this Alcoholics Anonymous talk in Madison, Tennessee which is just outside of Nashville. The date was March 23rd, 1990. Morris first experimented with AA in 1944. He was in and out of prison over the years. Finally, while in prison in North Carolina by chance he met up with Tom Ivestor who is now a well-known AA speaker. Tom set him straight about a few things concerning AA.
Contents – 11 Tracks
Length – 51 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
MORRIS BARBOUR - MYRTLE BEACH, SC 1-12-84
Morris is the author of the Big Book Story, “A FIVE TIME LOSER WINS.”
Morris is from North Carolina and had 14 years of sobriety at the time of this talk. He feels that his alcoholism really took off when he joined the Navy at age 17. His many years of drinking got him into a lot of trouble, including doing hard time in several prisons across the country. He tells a great story about his escape from a maximum security facility in North Carolina in 1954. Morris says that it was a strange thing that began to turn his life around. He says that deep in the bowels of a maximum security prison, he happened to see the Serenity Prayer posted on a wall. He feels his spiritual awakening began at that point. Morris eventually became a dedicated and grateful member of AA. This talk is very inspirational considering the hell alcohol put him through. Morris sums up this talk by saying, “I now enjoy life most of the time. I love you all and I’ve run out of what to say so I better shut up. Thank you.”
Contents – 15 Tracks
Length – 75 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
NANCY FLYNN - KENNETT SQUARE, PA 1955
Nancy is the author of the Big Book Story, “THE INDEPENDENT BLONDE.”
Her story first appeared in the Second Edition of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. Nancy says that she was a kid in trouble long before she ever took a drink of alcohol. In her late 20s she got married to a man who was an extremely heavy drinker. Soon afterward she went through a very bitter divorce. Nancy’s drinking eventually landed her in Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She then moved to Virginia and was able to quit drinking on her own for a time. However, as soon as she had just one drink, she ended up passed out in the ladies’ room. Nancy talks about how difficult it was to go to her first AA meeting. At one time she talked with Dr Silkworth and asked him for his advice on how to stay sober. Nancy’s got one hell of a story and at the end she says, “I have met many a man who believed in God who was not a good man. But I never met a man who believed in man who was not a good man. I was told to first believe in myself, and then believe in you, and then from there I could go where I chose.” This is a great talk from a very smart and well-spoken woman.
Contents – 5 Tracks
Length – 25 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
PAUL G - PITTSBURGH, PA 3-8-07
Paul is the author of the Big Book Story, “GUTTER BRAVADO.”
His story is in the Fourth Edition of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book. Paul is a member of the Newburgh Group in Cleveland, Ohio. He recorded this AA Talk at the 19th Anniversary of the Spiritual Express Group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Paul began drinking at age 13. He traveled west and ended up on skid row in San Francisco, where he was strangely comfortable. Paul eventually discovered Mad Dog. He’d get drunk, ride his motorcycle, and raise hell. He had many, many blackouts. He tells about ten of his close friends that died as a direct result of drinking. Paul eventually went to a treatment center and from there began attending AA meetings. He first entered the rooms of AA on September 15th, 1991. Paul says, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” He ends his talk by saying, “Keep coming back because it keeps getting better!”
Contents – 11 Tracks
Length – 55 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
SACKVILLE MILLINS - CHICAGO, IL12-10-63
Sackville is the author of the 2nd & 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “THE CAREER OFFICER.” Sackville announces that his last drink of alcohol was in April of 1947. Before he gets into his own story, Sackville recalls how Alcoholics Anonymous got started in Ireland. He says in about 1943 a man from Australia was visiting Dublin. This man from Australia was quoted in the local newspapers and the word began to spread locally. Sackville joined that very first Irish group and after about a year, he and another fellow decided to try to spread the program throughout Ireland. After that short history lesson, he tells how he first heard of AA. He tells how at his very first meeting, he went up to the secretary and, “signed up.” Sackville compares the alcoholic who returns to drinking as playing Russian Roulette. At least when playing Russian Roulette a person has a one out of five chance for survival. Please note: Because of its age and Sackville’s accent this is not an extremely clear recording. However, every word is understandable. Side note: There has always been a little uncertainty about the spelling of Sackville’s last name. When he introduces himself at the beginning of this recording, it sounds very much like he’s pronouncing it as: MALLINS.
Contents - 9 Tracks
Length - 45 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
SACKVILLE MILLINS - HOUSTON, TX 5-20-57
Sackville is the author of the 2nd & 3rd Edition Big Book Story, “THE CAREER OFFICER.”
In this recording, Sackville tells his story and talks about the beginnings of AA in Ireland .He tells how it was, his upbringing and his life as an alcoholic. He tells how he hit bottom, what happened and how he found a solution in AA. Alcoholics Anonymous had just begun in Ireland where he got sober. Sackville then tells what it's like now and his life in sobriety. Like other pioneers, his recovery story intertwines with the history of AA in the area that he recovered. Much of his early recovery story is parallel to the early growth and growing pains of Alcoholics Anonymous in Ireland. Sackville presents his story and other material very well.
Contents – 11 Tracks
Length – 53 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
WYNN LAWS - LAGUNA BEACH, CA 7-25-73
Wynn is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE”
Wynn Laws was from Oxnard, California. She tells some parts of her story that are not in her Big Book Story. She talks about her attitudes before she began drinking. She tells of her drinking, what it did for her, some drinking episodes, and where it eventually took her. Wynn tells of her five marriages she had and the problems that alcoholism caused. She then tells about her life in sobriety and the importance of helping others. She explains how she learned to overcome resentments.
Contents – 11 Tracks
Length – 55 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
WYNN LAWS - SAN DIEGO, CA 9-15-73
Wynn is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, “FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE”
Wynn, from Oxnard, California recorded this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the South Bay Pioneers group in San Diego, California on September 15th, 1973. She was 26 years sober at that time. She tells a funny story about once showing up drunk at a fancy party with her hair in curlers and wearing her pajamas. Wynn tells about a suicide attempt; her drinking had gotten so bad that she tried to shoot herself. She tells how two of her cousins died ugly, alcoholic deaths and wondered if she would eventually meet the same end. Wynn tells how amazed she was when a man from AA twelfth stepped her and knew exactly where her drinking had taken her. Some words of wisdom someone once shared with her were, “When you can’t change the facts, try bending your attitude.”
Contents – 12 Tracks
Length – 56 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
| |
|
WYNN LAWS - ST LOUIS, MO 7-1-55
Wynn is the author of the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Edition Big Book Story, "FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE."
Wynn, from Los Angeles, California delivered this Alcoholics Anonymous talk at the 2nd International AA Convention in St Louis, Missouri on July 1st, 1955. Wynn says she was acting like an alcoholic long before she ever touched a drop of alcohol. She proclaims, "I was an out and out neurotic." Wynn began drinking at age 23. She would often black out and then have to contrive a creative excuse for her behavior. She was drinking on her job. Wynn tells how she attended her first AA meeting on the 25th of July in 1947 in Hollywood. She's not had a drink since. Toward the end of her talk, Wynn says, "You people have given me everything I need which indeed turned out to be everything I wanted in the first place."
Contents - 6 Tracks
Length - 28 Minutes
|
|
New Page 1
_______________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
