"The Lois Wilson Story" by William G. Borchert
Talk about Lois Wilson, founder of Al-Anon and wife of AA co-founder Bill Wilson, and the issues of addiction as a family disease with Bill Borchert, author of The Lois Wilson Story: When Love Is Not Enough.
ABOUT The Lois Wilson Story
We are excerpting the Preface, Chapter One and an Author's Note from William G. Borchert's excellent biography of Lois Wilson, the wife of AA cofounder Bill Wilson and the guiding force behind Al-Anon, which was established as a fellowship for relatives and friends of alcoholics.
"Lois Wilson was indeed one of the twentieth century's most important women," Borchert writes. "Her life had been somewhat overshadowed by that of her husband, but in recent years she has emerged more visible than before for her unique contributions to humanity."
In the Preface, which you can read here, Borchert writes about observing a picnic at Stepping Stones, the Wilson's home in Westchester County, New York, for two hours. After it's over, he says to Lois: "All these people kneeling down before you, kissing your hands and feet, telling you how you saved their lives, restored their families. Even God himself would be flattered by such adulation. How must it make you feel?"
In Chapter One, which you can read here, Borchert sets the scene for a confrontation between Lois and a drunken Bill. "Every time you get drink," Lois says, pounding him on the chest and arms, "I'm the one who feels guilty.... You can go to your bootleggers, your speakeasies. Where can I go? Tell me! Where can I go?"
In the Author's Note, which you can read here, Borchert talks about how he got to know Lois Wilson.
ABOUT the author
William G, Borchert wrote the Emmy-nominated screenplay for the Warner Brothers/Hallmark Hall of Fame movie My Name Is Bill W. He has been a newspaper reporter in New York City, worked for a wire service and national magazine, and created syndicated shows for radio. As a partner at Artists Entertainment Complex, he produced several box office hits, including Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon.