Some who failed may have achieved permanent sobriety later. On april 10, 1939, 4,650 copies of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, became available for distribution. It has been 40 years since ernie kurtz wrote notgod, the last truly professional treatment of the history of alcoholics anonymous. Pdf alcoholics anonymous book by alcoholics anonymous. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. Even a stamp loan copy could not legally replace the requested notice. The first printing of the first edition was published in april of 1939, followed by 15 more printings up until the release of the 2nd edition in 1955. 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. 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. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book abebooks. Pdf download alcoholics anonymous the big book free. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition, 1st printing, april 1939 works publishing company. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing big book origin.
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. Informally known as the big book, it has gone through numerous. The ez big book of alcoholics anonymous is a pagebypage translation of the original alcoholics anonymous published by aa founder bill wilson in the 1930s. Detailsfourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a.
Portable, softcover, unabridged fourth edition, 4 12 x 7. Alcoholics anonymous which we in aa affectionately call the big book. The first 11, basic chapters were written by bill w. The main characters of this non fiction, self help story are. There is a no apparent writing in the book and there are no missing pages, the cover has general soiling, the spine ends are rolled, the gilt lettering on the front cover is dull and about 95% present, the gilt. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover. It is intended to carry the aa message to modern readers who find the original big book hard to digest for any reason. The original alcoholics anonymous book was auctioned for millions, but. The first edition of the novel was published in 1939, and was written by alcoholics anonymous. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. But when it was published in 1939, its primary writer, william bill w. The seller of this book sold on ebay, describes the book as being in.
Alcoholics anonymous by bill wilson, first edition abebooks. In this series, we will be discussing much of the history surrounding the first edition big book. Aa is nonprofessional, selfsupporting, and apolitical. The official publication date of the first printing of our big book, as noted by the united states copyright office, was april 10, 1939. Alcoholics anonymous hardback fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. It is the first text written about the experiences of the founders of the a.
More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939. With no financial resources, big hopes were placed on sales of the big book. Although several versions have been published over the years, only this edition includes all 29 stories of. History pioneers of alcoholics anonymous 1934 1939. Alcoholics anonymous the big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. The first printing of the first edition was published in april of 1939, followed by. 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 the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. The firstedition, firstprint book published in 1939, is often called the big book due to the thickness of its.
Oct 30, 20 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. Bill wilson had been a stock analyst at the time he met dr bob smith the co. 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. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. With the publication of the book alcoholics anonymous in 1939, the pioneering period ended and a prodigious chain reaction set in as the recovered alcoholics carried their message to still others. There was no need for, because was used to protect profits from exclusive book sales. Members often refer to alcoholics anonymous as the big book, but not to compare it with any sacred text. We are bringing to you a series about the alcoholics anonymous basic text. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous.
No writing or markings to except first blank page where previous owners name was written in pencil and erased. Alcoholics anonymous the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions, the latter explaining aas fundamental principles in depth. 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. This original 1939 edition outlines the famous 12 steps, and offers counsel for those who wish to join the program but doubt the existence of a higher. Free download or read online alcoholics anonymous pdf epub book. Big book is in very good condition with light wear to spine gold gilding strong on front and spine. Published in 1939 under the title alcoholics anonymous, the big book is the basic textbook outlining the program of action for recovery from alcoholism through alcoholics anonymous. This original 1939 edition outlines the famous 12 steps, and offers counsel for those who wish to. 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. Listen at this website, or subscribe or download the podcast free at apple podcasts or any of the podcast providers listed at the bottom of this page. The big book has gone through numerous editions and remains the most widely used resource for recovering alcoholics. Currently available in the general service conferenceapproved fourth edition, the big book contains the stories of the cofounders, as well as many members of diverse backgrounds who have found recovery in the worldwide fellowship. A sixmonth sobriety coin and a copy of alcoholics anonymouss big book lies.
Largeprint, softcover, 7 x 10 14, in type size recommended as suitable for the visually handicapped. The first section of the big book of alcoholics anonymous has not changed or been revised in any of the four editions. There is a no apparent writing in the book and there are no missing pages, the cover has general soiling, the spine ends are rolled, the gilt lettering on the front cover is dull and about 95% present, the gilt lettering on the spine is rubbed and about 20% visible, the text pages are agetoned with foxedstained stained text block page edges and reinforced front hinge. B1 alcoholics anonymous fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. 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. Cornwall press was contracted to print the book in 1939. Cornwall press would deliver copies to works publishing company, with an office on william street in newark, new jersey. 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. When the book was published in 1939 the aa fellowship was small and struggling. The story of how more than one hundred men have recovered from alcoholism. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book inscribed by bill wilson to margret bobbie burger, her personal gift book, with its original dust jacket. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa big.
Pdf alcoholics anonymous book by alcoholics anonymous free. Bill, i need you to write a book, a big book, an important one, a kind of bible for the hopeless. By intention it was not ed when first published and distributed about 400 copies january 1939. Alcoholics anonymous was founded in 1935 by bill wilson and dr. It was mandatory to have such notice on each and every copy of the book. The original 1939 edition is a must have for anyone who has a passion for the history of alcoholics anonymous. The recovery zone is proud to present this free of charge to our visitors.
Cofounder bill wilson began writing it in april 1938 at the business office of new york member hank p. Alcoholics anonymous 1939, ie the big book frequencies. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. Parkhurst at honors dealers, 17 william st, newark, new jersey. Bill wilson alcoholics anonymous 19391939 first edition. The following is the complete audio and text of the original book alcoholics anonymous written in 1939. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. Alcoholics anonymous publishes several books, reports, pamphlets, and other media, including a periodical known as the aa grapevine.
The aa program of recovery is set forth in the twelve steps aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio. Station 2 christ accepts the cross by david michalek. Big book overview alcoholics anonymous or the big book as it is commonly called was first published in 1939 and was subtitled the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. It still stands as today as the primary text for aa and is the foundation for most other 12 step programs. 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. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and.
Make offer alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 3rd printing 1942 rdj baby blue alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 2nd printing. 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. Bills bookranging from october of 1937, when a book was first proposed, to april of 1939 when alcoholics anonymous was publishedis based primarily on the wealth of 1930s documents currently preserved in several a. Since the book alcoholics anonymous first appeared in 1939, this basic text has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa.
New stories have been added to the personal histories. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 576 pages and is available in paperback format. Bill wilson had been a stock analyst at the time he met dr bob smith the co founder, a doctor and surgeon. It is a jokey reference that goes back to aas humble beginnings. In addition to describing the disease of alcoholism and the spiritual steps toward recovery, the big book contains dozens of personal stories from people who. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile of the 1st printing of the big book aa alcoholics anonymous bill w. Bill wilson published by works publishing, new york 1939. Together they developed the organizations 12step program, and in 1939 they published this volume, which sets forth the cornerstone concepts of recovery and offers stories of those who have overcome alcoholism. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939 for sale. All below achieved at least some period of sobriety. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book. In 1939, they published this volume, which sets forth the cornerstone concepts of recovery and relates stories of those who have overcome alcoholism. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976.
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. Bob smith, who developed the organizations 12step program. Informally known as the big book, it has gone through numerous editions, and as a lifeline to millions worldwide, it is the most widely used resource for recovering alcoholics. However, the fledgling aa organization had no funds to pay for the print run itself so the publisher kept the. Works publishing company, april 1939, hardcover 400pp. Only this original 1939 edition includes all 29 stories of the programs pioneers, which share the details of their full journey, including initial recovery, sometimes followed by relapse and eventual success. 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. The purpose of the book was unselfish help and not profits.