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Henry G. (Hank) Parkhurst. (1895-1954)

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Hank Parkhurst was a business dynamo who was the first alcoholic to recover in New York, following Bill Wilson. Thus, Hank was New York's AA#2. His was a vital contribution to AA: without Hank Parkhurst the Big Book might never have been published. Hank was born March 13, 1895, in Marion, Iowa into a family that had lived in that area for several generations. He was so gifted an entrepreneur that an associate once described him as being able to produce a good idea a minute for business. … [Read more...]

Analysis and comparison of three treatment measures for alcoholism: antabuse, the alcoholics anonymous approach, and psychotherapy

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British Journal of Addiction, Vol. 50, 1953:   By FRANCIS T. CHAMBERS, Jr. of the Philadelphia Hospital Institute In 1935 I joined the staff of the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, and with the generous support of the senior staff members endeavored to work out a treatment plan to be available for those seeking help for acute problems. This plan had the then unique characteristic of being a positive, rather than a negative approach. By and large, at this period, most … [Read more...]

Letter to Dr. Carl Jung from Bill Wilson

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The below letter was written by Bill Wilson to the eminent Swiss psychologist & psychiatrist Dr. Carl Gustav Jung which was dated 1/23/61.  Bill considered it a long overdue note of appreciation for Dr. Jung's contribution to A.A.'s solution for alcoholism.  The Big Book refers to part of the story on pages 26 & 27.  This letter is then followed by Dr. Jung’s reply.   My dear Dr. Jung: This letter of great appreciation has been very long overdue. May I first introduce … [Read more...]

AA’s Forgotten Beginning – The Alcoholics Anonymous “Beginners’ Classes”

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(Facts and thoughts transcribed from a talk given by Wally P. on 11/23/96 in Mesa, Arizona.  Wally is the author of the book "Back To Basics: The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings, 'Here are the steps we took...' in Four One-Hour Sessions".) Initial growth in Alcoholics Anonymous took place in Cleveland, Ohio. Clarence S. and the guys went out actively pursuing drunks and brought them off bar stools and street corners. We don't do that today, but we were doing it back then [late 1930's … [Read more...]