Endorsements
Bill Borchert came into my life during our astounding screen collaboration in My Name is Bill W. What a joy to revisit this friendship in his new achievement, The Lois Wilson Story. Bill Borchert will always be a seminal part of my life and now millions of others will get to appreciate his selfless devotion to the woman who founded Al-Anon and her mesmerizing story. Bravo, my friend.
Emmy A ward-winning actor (My Name is Bill W.) James Woods
Eloquently written with the insight of a journalist close to his source, The Lois Wilson Story is a masterpiece that provides a vivid portrayal of a woman whose sacrifices helped give birth to AA and Al-Anon.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Attorney
Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic
Bill Borchert shares the intimate recollections of Lois Wilson in an authentic and powerful tale of helplessness, hope, and fulfillment. This view of Lois' life with Bill Wilson and the birth and nurturing of the Twelve Step movement is awesome and rewarding. It is a page-turning read and a tribute to Lois, cofounder of Al-Anon, and her passion to bring healing to everyone affected by the family disease of alcoholism.
Johnny Allem, President/CEO
The Johnson Institute
This book is a jewel. It tells the story of two people born at the turn of the twentieth century, who, in their tragic struggle with addiction, come to transform the lives of millions across the world. While Lois W. saw herself only as a symbol of what Al-Anon principles and program could offer, this book makes real the life of Lois Wilson ... Lois and her story are truly captivating.
Claudia Black, author
It Will Never Happen to Me
The story that would complement that of Bill W's had yet to be written. And now, William Borchert has done the job. Borchert begins his book with an easy-flowing, active tense, almost fictional style that keeps you riveted on Lois and her love story. It's well done. I'll be reading and utilizing for research the Borchert story for many years.
Dick B. (a pseudonym)
Writer, Historian, retired Attorney, Author of 25 published titles on the history and spiritual roots of A.A.
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MEDIA CONTACTS For any media person interested in receiving a copy of this book, please contact: Connie Carlson Hazelden Publishing ccarlson@hazelden.org or Kim Weiss HCI, Inc. kimw@hcibooks.com Publisher Info: Hazelden Publishing Available in bookstores or to order directly from the distributor, please contact: HCI Books (800) 441-5569 or www.hcibooks.com |
Bill Borchert was nominated for an Emmy in 1989 for writing the highly acclaimed Warner Brothers/Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, My Name Is Bill W., which starred James Garner, James Woods, and JoBeth Williams. The film was based upon material gathered from personal interviews and in-depth research. The author began his career as a journalist, working first as a reporter for one of New York City's largest daily newspapers and also for a major media wire service. After writing for a national magazine and creating syndicated shows for radio, Bill became a partner at Artists Entertainment Complex, a new independent film and talent management company that went on to produce a number of box office hits. These included Kansas City Bomber starring Racquel Welch, Serpico starring Al Pacino, and Dog Day Afternoon, also starring Al Pacino. A member of The Writers Guild of America and a director of The Stepping Stones Foundation, the author continues his active writing career. Borchert and his wife, Bernadette split their time between New York and Little River, South Carolina, where they are frequently visited by their nine children and their twenty-three grandchildren.
Q. Why did screenwriter Bill Borchert decide to write this book, the biography of Lois Burnham Wilson?
A. Shortly after moving into the new home Bill and his wife Bernadette had built in Little river, South Carolina in 2003, and while unpacking boxes in his new office there, Bill discovered some audio tapes he had made some years before when interviewing Lois Wilson for a movie he was writing about the birth of Alcoholics Anonymous. He had all but forgotten them. Sticking one of the tapes into his tape player, he soon came to realize that little of what Lois had shared with him about her own painful experiences that resulted from her husband's terrible ordeal with alcoholism had been used in the film he wrote called, "My Name Is Bill W." the Warner Brothers/Hallmark. Hall of Fame movie starred James Woods, James Garner and JoBeth Williams. And even the scenes he had written that were filmed concerning her experiences and her co-founding the worldwide fellowship of Al-Anon were left on the cutting room floor. As a close friend of Lois Wilson's, Bill Knew her own personal story was moving and powerful and he believed that people the world over needed to hear it. Also, there had been five biographies written about her husband, Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, but not one about her. He felt the telling of her story was long over due. So he sat down and wrote the book, "The Lois Wilson Story: When Love Is Not Enough."
| Author Bill Borchert is shown leading Lois Wilson to a podium to address the throng of guests at her annual Al-Anon Family picnic. This was in 1986 at her home in Bedford Hills, N.Y. Borchert and his wife were close friends of Lois for the last 14 years of her life. |