The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more. The big book of alcoholics anonymous unknown binding january 1, 1983 4. 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. The manuscript version, for me, gives me a better understanding of step three. Please notice that the order of these first two chapters are reversed. With the appearance of the new book a great deal began to happen. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those i would help of thy power, thy love and thy way of life. The text of alcoholics anonymous the first edition stories the second edition stories the original manuscript changes made to the manuscript changes made to the 1st edition text search. This is a link to the complete 4 th edition of the aa bigbook online. 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.
That was the last honest manual labor on my part for many a day. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. This is how step three was worded in the original manuscript for the big book, prior to final editing and publishing of the book. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. No matter how far down the scale you have gone, you will see how your experience can benefit others 5. Silkworth aa big book aa anonymity statement anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions. Wilsonaka bill w, cofounder of aaand first published in 1939, it lays. If you dont have a big book, its time you bought you one. The text of this document, original manuscript, was left just as it originally appeared in 1938. The text and page numbers are the same in both the 3rd edition and 4th edition of the big book.
Prayers from the big book of alcoholics anonymous big book. The original belonged to clarence snyder, the brewmeister, is in each printing of the big book. 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. The original manuscript of a l c o h o l i c s a n o n y m o u s this is an electronic reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. We feel that each persons religious views, if any, are his own affair. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Carl jung story is moved to the front of there is a solution, and the end of the same chapter mentions that. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of.
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. The original 1930s how it works alcoholics anonymous. More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. The original 1939 edition is a must have for anyone who has a passion for the history of alcoholics anonymous. The book that started it all the original working manuscript of aa. This is the official website of the general service office g. Humbly, on our knees, asked him to remove our shortcomings holding nothing back. This was the version of the big bookdistributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition wasprinted. The original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. This is the annotated big book workbook, that we will be using for the reading of the big book up to i believe page 101.
Preoriginal manuscript draft of chapters in the big book. Prayers from the big book of alcoholics anonymous big. New group form register a new group with the general service office of alcoholics anonymous with continue reading printable literature. The 161page manuscript for the work that became the bible to millions in recovery is going up for auction on june 8. The big book is a text pdf that the library of congress in 2012. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. May 24, 2017 the big book of alcoholics anonymous is a big deal and the originals worth big bucks.
Bill wilson was the primary author of the big book and 12 steps but others did. This is the unofficial guide that we will be using to guide our step work. Is alcoholics anonymous religious, spiritual, neither. These fateful words were spoken to a man we know, some seven years ago. This is what the big book looked like only a few months before it was. Read the original unedited version of the 12 steps. The original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous fabled big book is heading to auction following an extended legal battle over its ownership. This is a 1 page summary of sections out of the aa big book original manuscript on step 2. Silkworth aa big book aa anonymity statement anonymity is the spiritual foundation of. The original copy of the big book is up for auction and alcoholics.
You go right back to the beginners classes in minnesota in the forties. Alcoholics anonymous world services, a new yorkbased company operating the organizations u. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. Impress upon him the wisdom and necessity of reading and rereading this literature. This is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. There was very little changed in the stories between the original manuscript and the first. An extraordinary reproduction of the original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymous, with essays and notes by a panel of celebrated aa historians. The original manuscript of the big book 1938 this is the original manuscript of the big book. This is another preoriginal manuscript draft of chapters in the big book. Here is a pdf version of the first 164 pages found in all aa books. The original working manuscript is the missing link between bill wilsons first draft of alcoholics anonymous and the first edition. Original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous the anonymous press. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939 for sale.
We of alcoholics anonymous believe that the reader will be interested in the. Paragraph numbers along side the text for easy reference. Entire original manuscript about including the stories. An extraordinary reproduction of the original working manuscript of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, with an introduction and notes by a panel of celebrated aa historians. Original manuscript of the big book alcoholics anonymous a copy of the prepublication manuscript circulated prior to printing of the 1st edition of the big book alcoholics anonymous. Manuscript of alcoholics anonymous big book goes up for. He commences to look around in the night clubs, or their equivalent, for something besides liquor.
Helping others newcomers is the foundation stone of your recovery. The original manuscript of emotional sobriety and food. To show other alcoholics addicts precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Printable literature central office of southwest missouri. This is reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous.
Alcoholics anonymous, from the title of its own book. 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. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered. The original manuscript of the big book is up for auction. This is the original manuscript of the aa big book. Published2010 printedincanada firstprinting,september2010. The original manuscript of the big book is up for auction and aa is.
Aa chapter 5 how it works rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. In january 1939 bill wilson and other aa founders distributed 400 copies of his typescript to other who might be concerned with the problem of alcoholism, to get input. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make complete amends to them all. After author bill wilson died, he left it to his wife. That feeling of uselessness and selfpity will disappear. How it works rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our directions. A manual for alcoholics anonymous the akron manual. The first 164 pages of the big book with lined blank pages opposite each page of text for note taking. The many changes that were made in black, green, and red on each page are show. An updated how it works by roger published september 15, 2016 updated april 24, 2020 this updated version of how it works originally published as chapter five of alcoholics anonymous in 1939 was created by hilary j and the sober agnostics group and is read at the beginning of their meetings in vancouver, bc, canada. I feel its important for a recovering alcoholic to encounter the history of aa because they need to know where aa came from and. This is what the big book looked like only a few months before it was published on april 10, 1939. You will comprehend the word serenity and know peace 4.
Alcoholics anonymous wants the original printers copy of its bible. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. The original copy of the big book is up for auction and. The original alcoholics anonymous big book manuscript. The original manuscript of the big book is up for auction and. Spiritual reading list original manuscript of the big book. This fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous came off press in november 2001, at the start of a new millennium.
We are gathered here because we are faced with the fact that we are powerless over alcohol and unable to do anything about it without the help of a power greater than ourselves. Read it, study it, live with it, loan it, scatter it, and then learn from it what it means to be an a. At least this was the belief when aa published its original text the big book, alcoholics anonymous in 1939, and despite the publication of this book in three further editions since then, this original text has remained unchanged except for the personal stories at the back of the book. Alcoholics anonymous preamble alcoholics anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Aa the original way 12 step guide aa the original way group. This book became a blueprint for recovery from alcoholism that has been followed successfully for nearly 80 years and something of a publishing phenomenon. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. The big book of alcoholics anonymous is a big deal and the originals worth big bucks. When we sat down to transcribe the copies we could find, we came across a good numberof apparent mistakes. Works publishing company, april 1939 book is in near fine condition strong 100% gold gild, tight binding, clean pages with no writing other than a gift inscription on first blank page tommy may this book be a great help to you in time of trouble. Alcoholics anonymous, aa, and the big book are registered trademarks of alcoholics. The original working manuscript of aa read the original unedited version of the 12 steps. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous. Original manuscript chaper 5 how it works alcoholics anonymous alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. The truth is that compromises like god, as we understood him, were disappointing to both the radicals and the conservatives. The original version of the current preamble as it was first introduced to aa in the june, 1947, grapevine.
In part because of her lifes work, alcoholism became seen as less a moral issue and more a health issue. It is a copy of the preproduction multilith that went out to the fellowship prior to the last changes being made in it. The big book pioneer story he sold himself short p. The book that started it all offers fresh insights into the history and foundation of the revolutionary alcoholics anonymous program. This podcast was recorded before aa world services dropped its lawsuit to gain possession of the original 1939 working draft manuscript of the big book. Since the third edition was published in 1976, worldwide membership of a. Hazelden centercity,minnesota55012 2010byhazeldenfoundation allrightsreserved. The original manuscript for the big book and a 1939 first edition. The big book is the founding testament and manifesto of alcoholics anonymous, written for the most part anonymously by the organizations cofounder bill wilson, a. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aa s founders before the first edition was printed. The original working manuscript of profiles in history.
Hazelden releases alcoholics anonymous original manuscript. The original manuscript of the socalled big book of alcoholics anonymous is being published this week, 70 years after it was first written by aas founder bill wilson. Aa the original way 12 step guide is the culmination of years of practice and study of group sponsored step guides written by founders and pioneer aa members. A manual for alcoholics anonymous the akron manual 1940 edit.
Big book weekly reading schedule 21 weeks thru first 164 pages. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that i may better do thy will. An alcoholics anonymous is an alcoholic who through. This is really a handy, welldone facsimile of the original printing of the book that became alcoholics anonymous little red book. The original manuscript of the big book just love audio. This is reproduction of the 1938 originalmanuscript of alcoholics anonymous. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. Alcoholics anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Below are copies in various formats of the big book. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with. Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. Alcoholics anonymous sues for return of original 12step. Alcoholics anonymous original manuscript signed by bill w.
A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. All the indexes we publish are for the 1st 164 pages the main text. Aa preamble how it works the twelve steps twelve traditions short form twelve traditions long form 9th step promises primary purpose blue card is your group connected to aa as a whole. Jan 25, 2015 the great aa myth is that all of the original folks were delighted with the book, and that the book then ascended to a position of authority, for one and all. You should make it a point to supply your patient with the proper literature the big alcoholics anonymous book, this pamphlet, other available pamphlets, a bible, and anything else that has helped you. One of the first of these guides, the akron manual, was commissioned by dr. Decipher the five layers of editorial comments in black, green and red pencil page after page which reveal the opinions, debates and discussions that went into creating the big book. Written by william griffith wilson in 1939, the printers copy of the document includes handwritten edits, changes and corrections to the book alcoholics anonymous, the original 12step program, known to aa members as the big book. However, aa has long maintained that it is the rightful owner. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book with original dust jacket.