The Library Project
Dr. Bob was an avid reader, leaving piles of books scattered around his home. Many of these books, and the ideas therein found, influenced the writing of Alcoholics Anonymous. Through meticulous research, our archivist, Gail L., has collected the books that Dr. Bob read, referenced, and shared. In addition, the library includes relevant books of the era that are significant to AA historians and general researchers.
What did Dr. Bob read?
Bob’s books were as varied as his interests; however, they reflected his quest for greater spiritual understanding.
“To the day he died, he felt that if he only had more spiritual understanding, some way or another he could pass this message on.”
[Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, p. 309]
The Greatest Thing in the World (1874)
Henry Drummond’s analysis of 1st Corinthians 13 was a book of special interest to Dr. Bob who even went so far as to “prescribe” the book to a Cleveland newcomer. Drummond considers love (agape) to be the summum bonum, in effect, the answer to the great question of antiquity – what is the greatest thing in the world? In his sermon, Drummond breaks down Paul’s letter into three component parts – love contrasted, love analyzed, and love defended – and ultimately concludes that love constitutes the very fabric of life.
“To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever. On the last analysis, then, love is life.”