Lois Remembers: Memoirs of the Co-Founder of Al-Anon and Wife of the Co-Founder of Alcoholics Anonymous

More & more we see that alcoholism and drug addiction are "family illnesses," since they affect not only the one hooked on the substances, but everyone in that person's "circle" of family, friends & co-workers. Even after the sufferer "sobers up," the family has quite a bit of healing and re-adjustment to do. This book is very important in several respects. First, it's great as a biography of AA co-founder Bill Wilson's life, since he and Lois were together for so many years. Second, this is great history: Lois wasn't a drunk, so while her husband was able to share his perspective "As Bill Sees It," being sober, and charged with so much responsibility in the family, Lois could write this book from the perspective of one who actually "Remembers" the events. Thirdly, and perhpas most important, Lois survived a significant time after her husband passed. She helped create Al-Anon (the groups created for those who are "affected" by alcoholism in their family or friends), was an active participant and saw it & AA grow over quite a period of time and can share her perspectives on WHAT works and WHY it works. 12-Step programs have saved and improved millions of lives already, just in the past 75 years. Many say that we could ALL benefit from living a life practicing 12-step reflection and action to obtain more emotional balance and happiness, and less stress. Lois helps memorialize the beginning and formation of this important spiritual approach to a human life "well lived."

Lois W is the co-founder of the Al-Anon Family Groups, and is the widow of Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Here she recalls her childhood and life in Brooklyn as the protected daughter of a leading doctor, and her romantic marriage to Bill during World War I. She also tells how AA and Al-Anon started and how they have brought hope to more than a million alcoholics and those who love them. She recalls idyllic summer days in beautiful rural Vermont and long hiking and motorcycling trips with Bill. Later came darker times when she and Bill tried vainly to conquer his illness of alcoholism. Then Bill's spiritual awakening led to his meeting with Dr. Bob S. in Akron, Ohio, and the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous. Lois tells how the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions grew out of the early experiences of AA members and groups, and were later adopted by Al-Anon. Her steadfast support and love for Bill were important throughout their marriage, but she found she needed her own program of recovery. Out of this need and that of other spouses and children of alcoholics grew Al-Anon for alcoholics' families and friends, and Ala-teen for their children. Here is the personal story of the co-founders of AA and Al-Anon as Lois recounts it, beginning with their struggles - some heartbreaking, some hilarious - all from her own unique perspective.