Alcoholics anonymous the big book pages 1 164 boardprep. Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. The book will probably never go out of print as it has set the standard for fighting addictions. And the book included references to all four of the jaws films, for a. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book.
Alcoholics anonymous the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book. Appropriately titled the family afterward, the ninth chapter in the big book of alcoholics anonymous begins to answer the first question i am asked by those surrounding their newly sober loved one. The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. Doug and charles, and diana and cheryl will attempt to help you have some fun during your search for serenity in sobriety. Search the alcoholics anonymous big book for phrases, key words, etc. The big book of alcoholics anonymous kindle edition by. Monthly big book readings aa the original way group.
As the nations leading nonprofit provider of comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for adults and youth, the foundation has 17 locations nationwide and collaborates with an expansive network throughout health care. My 10 favorite lines from the big book of alcoholics anonymous by kelly fitzgerald junco 072916 there is comfort in knowing you arent alone, that what youre feeling isnt unusual, and that there is a solution. The whytehouse is, i hope, a way to find that special phrase or saying etc. This is the official website of the general service office g. At this early part of the 21st century, membership in aa continues to grow, and a fourth edition will undoubtedly continue that trend. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give.
Aaalcoholics anonymous meeting format choopers guide. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. Since 1939, the book alcoholics anonymous the big book collectively composed by the first 100 persons to recover through that program, has been said to have rescued millions of formerly hopeless addicts from the claws of their hellish addiction. The second portion of the book which focuses on the traditions, is based on the experience of the entire fellowship at that time. The book alcoholics anonymous, affectionately known by members as the big book, is the textbook for the original 12step recovery program now known by the same name. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. All other sources the little red book, the 12 and 12, group sponsored literature were written as accompaniments or guides to be used to assist and deepen the path laid out by the original members of alcoholics anonymous in the big book. This desire gave birth to the primary purpose group of alcoholics anonymous of dallas, texas, in january, 1988. When a group travels to share their experience, strength and hope. Interior very good pages of book are clean and marking free, with only writing being previous owners name to first blank page and inside back cover board. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, is a collection of texts used by members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship the book has undergone four revisions since william wilson, also known as bill w.
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. There have also been updates to aa literature designed to reach out to the native north american. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. The big book has given me that comfort and the push to. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is the guiding book for all 12 step programs. To most people the idea that you could have one drink and remain. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Granting that the medium and weak aas had every right as aa members to practice the principles any way they wanted including hardly any at all, since the steps were suggestions only still, the way the first members had done it, and the way the big book had recorded it. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, second printing 1941 big book. And my struggle was as intense as if it were the first time id done it. Silkworth big book study aa anonymity statement anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions. But while alcoholisms horrors have remained unchanged, the demography of its victims has altered.
So, to all the present and past members of this group goes thanks for their interest and participation. There is comfort in knowing you arent alone, that what youre feeling isnt unusual, and that there is a solution. This created a thirst for an even greater knowledge of the vital information contained in the big book. We asked his protection and care with complete abandon. And all in all, this was a pretty entertaining book similar, of course, to steve altens meg series. 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. First published in 2010 as a paperback, the ez big book of alcoholics anonymous was released as an ebook shortly afterward. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. Feelings began to emerge that i did not understand. Alcoholics anonymous saved my life, but now ive lost my faith.
This is a transcript of the speech that bill wilson gave at the texas state aa convention in fort worth on june 12th, 1954 where he details the process of how the big book came about. The dust cover of the fourth edition quotes a letter written by bill w. In part because of her lifes work, alcoholism became seen as less a moral. Letting go of old ideas in the how it works reading, we hear over and over that some of us have tried to hold onto our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.
Alcoholics anonymous, area 81 how it works area 81 aa. Instinct in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. The big book is the original source of for step instructions in alcoholics anonymous. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Id spent the previous decade as the guitarist in sleeper, a successful band. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. This is the only absolute in the first 164 pages of the big book of alcoholics anonymous.
Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. Fitz g early aa member of alcoholics anonymous history big. Despite the anatomically strange cover, the book felt very well researched.
Alcoholics anonymous big books abookman, a book man. There have been several aa forums on native reservations, along with new york general services office staff participation, a first in aa history. Call 419 5635905 or email abookman for more information, order a big book, or to sell your books. The missing link he looked at everything as the cause of his unhappinessexcept alcohol. Many of our old ideasespecially those about alcohol, about drinking, about getting drunk, and about alcoholism or problem drinking, if you prefer that termprove either worthless or actually selfdestructive for us, and it is a great relief to get rid of them. Click the link below to download a pdf version of this document or scroll down to continue reading. Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book last names are included only of deceased members the short biographies of the various authors of the stories in the back of the book alcoholics anonymous have been graciously supplied by nancy o. Here they are, the 82 occurrences of the word must found in alcoholics anonymous 4th edition the doctors opinion 1 page xxiii. Alcoholics anonymous big book represents a fine example of demand driven scarcity.
Some background is in order for those among my readers who arent familiar with the big book. In 1953 the twelve steps and twelve traditions of alcoholics anonymous aka. He is said to be the founder of alcoholics anonymous when in fact hes not the founder at all. There were 4 musts in the first and second editions of alcoholics anonymous.
This is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, find first, second, third, fourth and international editions. With over 400 pages, the big book is filled with personal anecdotes of alcoholics and the 12 steps that pave the path to recovery. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Extinct by charles wilson meet your next favorite book. My judgment and ideas were followed by many to the tune of paper millions. The big book of alcoholics anonymous verywell mind.
Such ideas are described as counterenlightenment because they are contrary to the enlightenments ideal. That was great news to us, for we had assumed we could not. The first three editions of the aa big book provide an indication of the changes which occurred since aa began in the late 1930s. Although its not properly confirmed its said that bill wilsons secretary wrote the big book. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. The ez big book of alcoholics anonymous was written by a longtime aa member who has been a professional writer all her life. The big book of alcoholics anonymous kindle edition by wilson, bill, smith, dr. W hen i waseight or nine years old, life suddenly became very dif. Fitzs sister, agnes, came to aas rescue when the printer refused to release the book he was holding the first printing of alcoholics anonymous. Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery. Far from being a text book of incontrovertible instructions or rules the big book is, in fact, a story book, it says so in its very title, alcoholics anonymous the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. Manns drinking, however, grew to the point where it endangered not only her.
It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w. The big book of alcoholics anonymous fourth edition has changed the native stories to reflect a more. 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. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous. Ideas in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12 traditions.
Within 3 years, the ebook sold over 15,000 copies worldwide without any marketing. I found this, a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous preface. The story of how many thousands of men and women 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, primarily written by william g. My old manner of life was by no means a bad one, but i. The final decision came when my daughter, following a drunk which ruined my wifes birthday, said, its alcoholics anonymousor else. As i drank, the old fierce determination to win came back. Its words and interpretations are left up to the reader to use as they choose. 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 books insights. Alcoholics anonymous first edition second printings for. They lost nearly all from a canadian reservation to overseas bars to new england lockups, an indian traveled a. Many of our old ideas especially those about alcohol, about drinking, about getting drunk, and about alcoholism or problem drinking, if you prefer that termprove either worthless or actually selfdestructive for us, and it is a great relief to get rid. I have provided a link in a couple of places on this page for your convenience, so you can get to the search page. The 1989 conference literature committee suggested distributing. The hazelden betty ford foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Marty mann october 15, 1904 july 22, 1980 was an early female member of alcoholics anonymous aa and author of the chapter women suffer too in the second through fourth editions of the big book of aa. Nicknamed the big book by the early aa members for its thick paper and wide margins, the books history began in 1934 when bill wilson, an alcoholic stockbroker who had found sobriety. Faced with alcoholic destruction, we soon became as open minded on spiritual matters as we had tried to be on other questions. I was struggling anew with the ideas of god i was reading in alcoholics anonymous, usually referred to by aa members as the big book. First published in 1939, alcoholics anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. Ideas in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. The wisdom from the big book isnt limited to 10 quotes. Big book alcoholics anonymous chapter 4 we agnostics pages 44 57. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. When i went to my first alcoholics anonymous meeting, 15 years ago, god was and. This excerpt of the alcoholics anonymous big book lets you get your hands on pages that could help.
The big book of aa and why it was written is an interesting story. The alcoholic has begun their journey and the family is curious as to where to place their own energy and what role to play moving forward. At bea next week, the attendees will solemnly discuss the latest trends, discuss how to get 70year old authors to use twitter, and generally party like its 1989. These pages are neither affiliated with nor endorsed by alcoholics anonymous inc. Although it was not the first help book to be published, it proved to be the most collectible in its category.