How the aa big book was written

To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Together they founded the alcoholics anonymous aa fellowship. The big book was originally published in 1939 by bill w. History of the writing of alcoholics anonymous by mitchell k.

One of the many myths that i was taught about the big book is that its the collective workwords of the original 100 members of aa. Usually the family should not try to tell your story. Questions and answers from the alcoholics anonymous big book. First published in 2010 as a paperback, the ez big book of alcoholics anonymous was released as an ebook shortly afterward. 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. Alcoholics anonymous publishes several books, reports, pamphlets, and other media, including a periodical known as the aa grapevine. Bill wilson 1954 how the alcoholics anonymous big book was written history o. The text got this name because the first edition of the book had rather thick pages, making the book even thicker than its content would suggest. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. Recovery book covers galore and more at recovery world. An excellent book that is well written and easy to understand. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. 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.

Alcoholics anonymous the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions, the latter explaining aas fundamental principles in depth. It contains the 12 steps that are at the core of the alcoholics anonymous program, as well as stories about alcoholics who have been through the recovery process. Package of 10 booklets to accompany the 75th anniversary big book. Ruth hock, aas first national sec retary, wrote if it wasnt for bill wilson the big book would never have been written. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. The premise of the book describes the 12step program that has been widely applied to other forms of substance use disorders. It is a must have for anyone with a desire to stop drinking and start a new way of life. It has become a regular shelf item among those who believe in god, understand the importance of the bible.

Central recovery press presents william schabergs writing the big book. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. 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. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in a. Aa double covers also available customized with name and date. 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. The 12 steps and 12 steps was written 14 years after the big book. The big book of alcoholics anonymous verywell mind. It was written to depend and broaden the understanding of. I received a very nice book 2nd edition 16th printing not what i expected because of your picture. July 27, 2012 new york its never been on the new york times best seller list.

Alcoholics anonymous big book audio read aloud youtube. Humility in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Background information the preamble was introduced in the june 1947 issue of the aa grapevine magazine. It was written to depend and broaden the understanding of the 12 steps. It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w. Aa big book covers leather big book covers vinyl big. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. One of the main reasons the book was written was to provide an inexpensive way to get the aa.

With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. He is said to be the founder of alcoholics anonymous when in fact hes not the founder at. Although no author is listed, it is common knowledge that the initial draft of the big book was written by a. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. It is an incredible source of information from the early days of a. Bill recounts the story of early aa and how the big book was written and published. Aa promises the aa big book 12step promises of recovery. 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. Written in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. 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. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions.

More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. This is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. Choose leather or vinyl for hardcover, paperback and mini alcoholics anonymous big book in up to different 11 colors. Its main objective is to help the alcoholic find a power greater than himself that will solve his problem, the problem being an inability to stay sober on his or her own. Millions of people have read the big book of aa to find instruction on how to recover from alcoholism. The whytehouse is, i hope, a way to find that special phrase or saying etc. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. He is said to be the founder of alcoholics anonymous when in fact hes not the founder at all. Literature a brief history of the big book f166 a brief history of the big book in may 1938, when bill w. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about god. Aa speaker turn our will and our lives over to the care of god new 20. The big book serves as the basis of alcoholics anonymous aa.

Oct 27, 2011 the big book of aa and why it was written is an interesting story. All i can say is if you are in any way connected to a. The book also includes stories and anecdotes that are designed to inspire individuals to pursue the fellowship of aa and follow the 12 steps. Shop all available double aa book covers for aa big book and 12 steps and 12 traditions together. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. If you have a drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. The story of how many thousands of men and women have. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies. The book is designed to be a basic treatise on how to recover from alcoholism and was primarily written by one of the founding members of aa, william g. Within 3 years, the ebook sold over 15,000 copies worldwide without any marketing.

The irrationality of alcoholics anonymous the atlantic. Detailspackage of 10 booklets to accompany the 75th anniversary big book. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. F166 a brief history of the big book in may 1938, when bill w. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aa s founders before the first edition was printed.

Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. Ince the original foreword to this book was written in 1939, a wholesale miracle. Although its not properly confirmed its said that bill wilsons secretary wrote the big book. I specifically think this person did a great job translating the chapter to the wives what it is called in the big book to to spouses and other partners what it is called in asp. The big book of alcoholics anonymous including twelve steps and twelve traditions. George b was a practicing dentist for 47 years and is now a graduate student in a masters degree program for addiction counseling. Bill wilson the history of the big book a very good talk by bill. Bill wilson 1954 how the alcoholics anonymous big book was. Aa speaker turn our will and our lives over to the care of god new 20 duration. This is the fifth article in the grapevines series by authors of the personal histories in the big book, alcoholics anonymous. 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.

There has been a series of reprints and revisions, as well as. But urge them not to be overanxious, for that might spoil matters. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymousread more. What we know of course is that the big book was bill wilsons baby its a collection of his opinions and beliefs at 34 years sober. I love the big book but sometimes it is a little male dominated and a simple program fixes that. Approach through a doctor or an institution is a better bet. 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. 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. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. This book shares the definitive history of the creation of alcoholics. This week, william schabergs three pound, 800page writing the big book. 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 big book of aa and why it was written is an interesting story. It provides excellent advicesuggestions to the alcoholic or recovering alcoholic. Sep 30, 2008 alcoholics anonymous big book original edition aa services on. The big book also contains stories of members of aa who share their experience getting sober. We expect that this contribution to the recovering community worldwide will continue to grow, as our online big book is a great study tool. Bill wilson was the primary author of the big book and 12 steps but others did make major contributions and that is the way bill wanted it to be. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is often referred to in alcoholics anonymous meetings aa as the big book. What we know of course is that the big book was bill wilsons baby its a collection of his opinions and beliefs at. He also had a significant role in the development of the big book. When possible, avoid meeting a man through his family. The title of the book wilson wrote is alcoholics anonymous, but it is referred to by aa members as the big book. Big book and 12 step sources identifying the roots and the references.

A brief history of the big book alcoholics anonymous. The ez big book of alcoholics anonymous was written by a longtime aa member who has been a professional writer all her life. Our online big book is used by thousands of people all over the world, and incurs substantial bandwidth expense. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous.

The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous also known as the big book in recovery circles sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. It was written by the theneditor, who borrowed much of the phrasing from the foreword to the original edition of the big book, alcoholics anonymous. 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. It has been 40 years since ernie kurtz wrote notgod, the last truly professional treatment of the history of alcoholics anonymous. Because this book has become the basic text for our society and has helped such large numbers of alcoholic men and women to recovery, there exists a sentiment. I love the big book but sometimes it is a little male dominated and a simple program fixes that while staying true to the original text. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following.