As Bill Sees It

by Alcoholics Anonymous

Originally published in 1967 as The A.A. Way of Life, this book contains material that reflects cofounder Bill W.’s personal viewpoint and experience. From his Foreword: “This volume includes several hundred excerpts from our literature, touching nearly every aspect of A.A.’s way of life. It is felt that this material may become an aid to individual meditation and as a stimulant to group discussion, and may well lead to a still wider reading of all our literature. Over the past twenty-five years, it has been my privilege to write these books about A.A.: the text of Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, and Twelve Concepts for World Service, the last as part of our ‘Third Legacy Manual.’ [Retitled The A.A. Service Manual] Many pieces have been written for our monthly magazine, the A.A. Grapevine, and I have always carried on a large personal correspondence.”

Genres: Reference, Philosophy, Spirituality, Psychology, Nonfiction, Religion, Addiction

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2014

Reviews

[Dori Sabourin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, deals with nearly every aspect of the A.A. way of life. From the humility, defined in A.A. as teachability, with the Twelve Steps especially admitting powerlessness over alcohol and even people, places and things to other aspects of how Bill viewed A.A. He expands on how a recovering alcoholic passes through a grieving process which often leads to depression and relates how he processed through and overcame this depression. Bill tells the story of Ebby, his A.A. sponsor, who worked closely with him and was the first to suggest that Bill choose his own concept of a Higher Power which paved the way for the Spiritual path in A.A. Drawing from many sources: letters and talks, the Grapevine,-A.A.'s monthly magazine-articles, the A.A. Service Manual, A.A. Comes of Age, Twelve Concepts for World Service, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book in A.A jargon), and A.A. Today; Bill covers a hundred concerns that an alcoholic seeking recovery from a life that has sent him to his destruction, or bottom as described in A.A.

[Larada Horner-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a mainstay for my recovery with short readings to boost the spirit & guide me on the path.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been using this book to supplement for daily reflections for the past 8 months. It is a wonderful book with excerpts taken from The Big Book, Daily Reflections, the Grapevine, personal letters, and The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Each page has a short reflection which usually serves as a quick, though timely reminder. I even used some of the quotes on my own Facebook as they are able to benefit virtually everyone (not just those suffering from addictions).

[Donald Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Wilson's take on many topics associated with the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Wilson was a founder of the program which has improved the lives of many alcoholics and served as a model for helping folks, all over the world, with various compulsions.

[Tadeo Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

PENSAR RECTAMENTE Y LOGRAR ASÍ LA FELICIDAD.

¿COMO LO HACEMOS?

a) Resolvemos vivir nuestra vida un día a la vez; sólo por 24 horas.

b) Diariamente pedimos orientación para ese día.

c) Oramos o meditamos cada noche, dando gracias por ese día.

d) Resolvemos obrar con la cabeza y renunciar a la cólera, sea cual fuere la situación que se presente.

e) Somos pacientes.

f) Nos conservamos en calma, tranquilos.

g) Ahora bien, lo que es más importante, si surge cualquier situación PEQUEÑA ordinaria, o bien GRANDES situaciones, las abordamos con tranquilidad y justicia, con la mente abierta, estamos así en completa armonía. Con los sencillos y reales principios de que A.A. nos ha enseñado y nos continuará enseñando.

Es decir, nuestra SOBRIEDAD es solamente una corrección de nuestros peores y más sobresalientes defectos. Nuestro modo de vivir cada día, conforme a los principios de A. A., corregirá también todas nuestras demás faltas menores, y eliminará paulatinamente, uno por uno, todos nuestros defectos de carácter que ocasionan descontentos, fricciones y estado de ánimo de rebeldía que nos conducen a la infelicidad, y de nuevo, directamente a nuestra máxima fuente de destrucción: la bebida.

HAGA PREGUNTAS

Ninguna pregunta concerniente a beber o dejar de beber es necia o intrascendente. El asunto es demasiado GRAVE. En A.A. aprendemos mediante preguntas y respuestas. Aprendemos mediante el intercambio de pensamientos y experiencias. Toda pregunta que podamos hacer nos ayuda y puede ayudar a los demás.

Dios me conceda Serenidad para aceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar; Valor para cambiar las que sí puedo, y Sabiduria para distinguir la Diferencia.

[Patrick Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book almost every day for a year. I read two pages a day, advancing one page. Thus reading each page twice, not all of them but most.

This book is amazing. This strengthened my sobriety. It came out of a mushroom trip that showed me that I had been wanting to drink for a few months. I had to do something, doing daily readings was one of the answers.

Bill is a beautiful soul and a powerful writer. I am deeply grateful for what he and Dr. Bob gave to this world. This book shows Bill’s growth, his open mindedness, his patience, his commitment to the principles, his humility, and more. It’s not about him but dang he was great. The more I read from Bill the more I respect him. Gosh, this was a powerful book. Absolutely a reread

- PK, 2024-2025

[Kevin McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not really a daily reflection kind of person. However, here you’ll find many 1 page “reflections” that touch pretty much every category of AA related things and the associated day to day life. I’ll keep the book on the shelf but probably won’t read it again.

[Margaret Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks

This is extremely helpful for mediation on a daily basis! I am grateful to have a program which helps me with daily struggles.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the daily reflections book better

[Ben Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A passage a day keeps the urges away 😁

[Michael Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short insights from one of the founders of AA. After 35 years of sobriety, what these men figured out to save us lost cases really works. This let's you see though his eyes simple wisdom that works.

[Momo Kenmare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what you need for what is ailing you that day. Bill w. Knew what he was doing. Good for us, good for aa

[Vivian Gatt]

a daily spiritual reading

[Joshua Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Helped me a lot to learn about Bill W and some of the letter he wrote and quotes from the grapevine.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book. Every page has something fabulous on it.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love him or hate him, or somewhere in between, there are many great quotes and insights from Bill. I reference this text daily in my check ins and inventory.

[eleah · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can use this book for daily reflection, I guess?

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading

[Chandra Slavonic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read it before and I'll read it again. timeless.