Cofounder bill wilson began writing it in april 1938 at the business office of new york member hank p. Who are the recipients of the milestone printing copies of the big book. Known as the big book, the basic text of alcoholics anonymous has helped millions of people worldwide get and stay sober since the first edition appeared in 1939. Fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. A fascinating glimpse into recovery history hazelden publishes the original working manuscript of the big book. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. View by list pass it on a brief history of the big book a. Then jack alexander wrote a feature article in the saturday evening post and placed such a compelling picture of a.
Literature a brief history of the big book f166 a brief history of the big book in may 1938, when bill w. What is the history behind aas responsibility statement. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism, written by the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa, bill w. A narrative timeline of aa history william white papers. This is part one of a 15 episode indepth big book study that took place in 2009. September 1967 aa grapevine big book stories updated 2 of 5 this is the second article in the grapevines new series by authors of the personal histories in the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Baresfoot world one of the oldest aa history sites. The original is now in the gso archives in new york. He clamors for this or that, claiming he cannot master alcohol until his material.
Minneapolis alcoholic recovery rates from the 1943 1945 indicates that 75% of its members are successful at staying sober. See more ideas about big book, book quotes, quotes. These are the same tenets he would eventually put in our big book. The history of alcoholics anonymous beginners classes. Package of 10 booklets to accompany the 75th anniversary big book.
The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all. This is a reprint of the first big book of aa, i am so happy and grateful to be able to read the big book as it was first. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first edition, a. Aa, alcoholics anonymous, the big book, box 459, the grapevine, gv. True to its moniker, the current edition runs 576 pages. The story of bill wilson, loiss husband of fiftythree years and. This book is for those members of aa who love to study the wonderful big book and others. Alcoholics anonymous aa was founded in 1935 by bill wilson known as bill w. Chapter 7 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a.
I feel its important for a recovering alcoholic to encounter the history of aa because they need to know where aa came from and what made and makes alcoholics anonymous tick. Aa sober recovery history of alcoholics anonymous on the. With the help of other early members, the book alcoholics anonymous. Aa history northwest arkansas alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous is the central text for aa members. Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. This was a world before alcoholics anonymous meetings.
The aa program of recovery is set forth in the twelve steps aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio. Subsequently, the history of alcoholics anonymous aa has been documented in books, movies, and aa literature. F166 a brief history of the big book in may 1938, when bill w. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. The story of how more than one hundred men have recovered from alcoholism is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. They shared their own personal experience with alcoholism as well as giving many practical tips that helped them find and maintain sobriety. S how they began and how they grew, east central and northeast regions. A short publishing history of the big book by the aa historians who wrote the second essay. The big book that gave alcoholics hope in 12 steps turns.
This is the official website of the general service office g. The big book that gave alcoholics hope in 12 steps turns 75. Alcoholics anonymous is an informal fellowship of about 12,000 formerly alcoholic men and women who are to be found banded together as groups in about three hundred and twentyfive american and canadian communities, these groups ranging in size from half a dozen to many hundreds of individuals. This history begins with the groups early struggles and continues through its worldwide growth. Timelines in aas history timelines in aa history 1864 to 1900 1864 bills greatuncle killed battle wilderness p 54 1865 william c. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. Apr 10, 2014 as of january 1, 20, the general services office of alcoholics anonymous estimated there are 114, 642 aa groups in more than 170 nations with more than 2,1,549 members.
A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. Chicago aa, which was the first area to have its own central office, has a long history and extensive archives. This is a transcript of a big book workshop that joe and charlie have done around the world. The yet unwritten aa program of action was now on its own in new york. Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book. This conferenceapproved special edition of alcoholics anonymous is a reproduction of the first printing of the first edition of the big book as it was published in 1939. Throughout the day, as i allow outside circumstances to dampen my spirits, i ask god to sear my consciousness with the awareness that i can start. Alcoholics anonymous kindle edition by alcoholics anonymous. The story of how more than one hundred men have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book because of the thickness of the paper used in the first edition is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism. A 75th anniversary e book version of the most important and practical selfhelp book ever written, alcoholics anonymous. Man, the unknown by alexis carrel published in 1935, this 346 page volume was the turning point in determining what focus the big book should take.
Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and moreconcordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics anonymous world services inc. The lives of thousands and thousands of alcoholics around the world were saved by listening to recordings of his careful pagebypage explanation of the message of the big book. Bob was sober a few months less than three years, and the other 100 early members who contributed in one way or another to the writing of the book had been sober for periods ranging from a couple of years to a couple of months. Called the big book, it was written by cofounder wilson and first published in 1939, before the group even had the aa name. Alcoholics anonymous which we in aa affectionately call the big book. Fifty books tracing aas history charlie bishop, jr. Clamors in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. A brief history of the big book f166 a brief history of the big book in may 1938, when bill w. A special booklet, titled a brief history of the big book, in english, spanish and french, will be included with all orders of this commemorative edition big book. The original big book was first published back in 1939.
Nicknamed the big book by the early aa members for its thick paper and wide margins, the book s history began in 1934 when bill wilson, an alcoholic stockbroker who had found sobriety. The big book top 10 things you didnt know about alcoholics. What is the origin of the third step prayer and the seventh step prayer found in the big book. Page 4 the major changes to the big book editions have been in the selection of personal stories so that they represent a good crosssection of the aa membership. Part one is about the history of the big book and is presented by chris s. Comes with a brief history of the big book in english, french and spanish for more, please see descriptions of. If we didnt have muchof anyworldlysuccesswe becamedepressedand cowed.
Alcoholics anonymous, the big book, and aa are registered trademarks of. The big book of alcoholics anonymous and twelve step programs across the world have helped millions of people recover from addictions. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous and many of the first 100 members of the group, the composition process was collaborative, with drafts of the book sent back and forth between bill ws group in new york and dr. Naturally, the leader in alcoholics anonymous books would have to be the alcoholics anonymous big book. Aacoa alcoholics anonymous comes of age by bill w absi as bill sees it by bill w agaa the akron genesis of alcoholics anonymous by dick b bb alcoholics anonymous the big book by bill w et al accessible via aaorg bwrt bill w by robert thomsen bwfh bill w by francis hartigan bw40 bill w my first 40 years autobiography.
Worldly in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. A fascinating glimpse into recovery history hazelden. The fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous, affectionately known as the big book, includes twentyfour new stories and continues to pass on aas message of hope and recovery to millions. This book became a blueprint for recovery from alcoholism that has been followed successfully for nearly 80 years and something of a publishing phenomenon. Critic faults alcoholics anonymous for lack of evidence. Aa is nonprofessional, selfsupporting, and apolitical. It contained what would become the famous 12 steps, along with personal stories. Aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio when one alcoholic, bill wilson, talked to another alcoholic, bob smith, about the nature of alcoholism and a possible solution. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous click here.
Kirk collection on alcoholism and alcoholics anonymous at brown university. The original 1939 edition is a must have for anyone who has a passion for the history of alcoholics anonymous. Parkhurst at honors dealers, 17 william st, newark, new jersey. First published in 1939, a revised, enlarged big book was published in 1955. The big book audio version 6 hours the history of alcoholics anonymous beginners classes. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Aa cofounder bill wilson 18951971 was the chief voice and writer behind alcoholics anonymousoften called the big book on which he collaborated with many figures, including his wife and intellectual partner, lois wilson 18911988. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. This edition not only reproduces the original 1939 text of alcoholics anonymous, but as a special bonus features the complete 1941. Anyone with experience in minimizing the worldly clamor in their lives to stay in contact. One of the most historically provocative pieces of recovery literature ever discoveredthe original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymouswill now be available to readers everywhere.
From the original big book stories to bill and bobs stories of recovery, this app brings you hours of amazing 12 step audio content to keep you on the straight and narrow. Joe and charlie big book workshop part 18 gemma b, a very funny woman who carries a great message. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of enabling its members to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. Bills story worldly clamors, mostly those within myself. From the members of the aa history lovers from the preface to page 180.
Many thousands have benefited from the big book and its simple but profound explanation of the doctrines behind alcoholics anonymous, which was founded in 1935 by bill wilson and dr. All twelve steps of the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous. The introduction delves into what the solution is for alcoholics and drug addicts by examining the chapter out of the big book of a. Alcoholics anonymous paperback aa big book small red paperback version. Service manualtwelve concepts for world services alcoholics anonymous comes of age alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first edition alcoholics anonymous big book 4th edition as bill sees it came to believe daily reflections dr. The first aa big book ever soldapril 1939, bought by. The allergy of the body and the obession of the mind. Listen to the history of how alcoholics anonymous got started and spread to become one of the greatest movements in history. The story of how more than one hundred men have recovered from alcoholism was written in 1939. But soon the sense of his presence had been blotted out by worldly clamors, mostly those within myself. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics.
The book concludes with the story of joe mcquany march 10, 1962 of the joe and charlie tapes, the most famous black figure in a. Alcoholics anonymous archivist, author conducts sessions here. Here is a special deluxe edition of a book that has changed millions of lives and launched the modern recovery movement. I have put this information together so as those interested in alcoholics anonymous and its program of recovery may gain some insight into the sources of the big book s insights. Pp 12 bills story finding a higher power the eaa group. Most importantly though, bill accepted some of these tenets as helpful to alcoholics.
888 678 856 696 1347 1074 760 349 343 160 938 1293 1476 368 572 726 212 1449 90 568