How it works from pages 5860 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Women are only mentioned as the wife of the alcoholic. Editions of alcoholics anonymous by alcoholics anonymous. Steps by the big book a study guide for those in recovery from the disease of addiction who wish to work the 12 steps by the big book, alcoholics anonymous. Using a book published in 1939, aa s core text describes how a man works the aa program in the first 164 pages of the big book. Alcoholics anonymous big books abookman, a book man. But it is neither unreasonable nor dogmatic to want more contemporary literature about the fundamental nature of alcoholism and recovery from aa world services, which crescentdave points out hasnt happened in half a century. You can purchase a bba workbook at any bba meeting. World services has recognized as an important and unique part of a.
The manuscript featured in the book that started it all, which a. A spiritual view beyond the limits of traditional religion by ken w. A personal story on page 407 called acceptance was the answer is also wellknown among aa membership. Unfortunately, the big book is entrenched as the aa bible. Pankhurst started drinking again after the big book was published and died in 1954. Buy big book study guides for aa special by anonymous, alcoholics, publications, sober living, revisions, daily reflections isbn. It is the originator of the seminal twelvestep method widely used to. It could no more be revised than could the ten commandments or the sermon on. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book.
All the indexes we publish are for the 1st 164 pages the main text. The 12 promises of aa begin on page 83 of the fourth edition of the big book. As we all know, aa grew and developed across the world. 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.
These 12 step book covers feature the serenity prayer on the front. The big book of alcoholics anonymous can be purchased at aa central or a bba meeting. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. 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. Call 419 5635905 or email abookman for more information, order a big book, or to sell your books. Aa big book with questions for discussion emotional. 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. Alcoholics anonymous, preface to the third edition, p. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to.
Alcoholism at large removed, group doesnt like this. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading big book study guides for aa. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. The main purpose of the revision is to bring the story section up to. Petition stop printing the sexist version of the big book. If you have a drinking problem, we hope that you may pause in reading. Drs opinion 4th edition p xxv bills story chapter 1 p 1 16 there is a solution chapter 2 p 16 30 more about alcoholism chapter 3 p 30 43 we agnostics chapter 4 p 44 57 how it works chapter 5 p 58 71 into action continue reading big book of alcoholics anonymous.
That was a time when a handful of alcoholics discovered a solution to their seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, thirteenth printing 1950 big book. This is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. The book has undergone four revisions since william wilson, also known as bill w.
There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. Alcoholics anonymousthe big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. What is it that you have in your hand, that leads these first aa members to believe you can grow the fellowship. Alcoholics anonymous big book 4th edition alcoholics anonymous. Parkhurst at honors dealers, 17 william st, newark, new jersey.
The big book serves as the foundation for the alcoholics anonymous 12step program. Steps by the big book steps by the big book workbook. The forward to printings of the aa big book, preceding the third edition, provide the reader with a sense of the changes that have occurred, since the beginning of aa. Downloadable group workbook companion to the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous aa, for adults who desire information on alcoholism and addiction recovery. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, find first, second, third, fourth and international editions. The description says 2nd edition big book, not the same 164 pages and the same forewords that are in the 3rd and 4th editions. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This chapter which used to be called doctor, alcoholic, addict was written by a man named dr. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies.
For the serious student of the aa big book, what follows are some recommendations from the author of this study guide in the approach to take when utilizing this supplemental material. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous. I want it to survive and grow stronger in service to more alcoholics, especially those not well served by the current big book because of the messages it sends. 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. Go to the primary purpose group study guide page and download the individual sections of the ppg big book study guide in word, open office writer, and other word processing programs. The index bookmark features 25 of the key topics from the big book of alcoholics anonymous with corresponding page numbers. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. This is the official website of the general service office g. Many of us have been so touchy that even casual reference to spiritual things made us bristle with antagonism. We believe and hope it contains all you will need to begin.
The big book the main 164 pages, prayers, personal stories, and more. It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w. Alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 8th printing for. You will need the big book of alcoholics anonymous large print or hard cover recommended and the big book awakening workbook. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting. These are the changes that have been made in the program portion of the big book the first 164 pages and the roman numeral pages. Our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. By april, 1945, earl t, founder of aa in chicago whose big book story is he sold himself short suggested to bill w that he codify the traditions and write essays on them in the grapevine.
All references to the topics will be found in the first 164 pages of the book, alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous big book 4th edition case special softcover. Because this book has become the basic text for our. Sbbb refers to this steps by the big book workbook. The big book bb notations are to page and paragraph, as in 64. Sexism increases drinking for men and women alcoholics anonymous publishes a sexist book meant to teach both men and women how to work the aa 12 step program. Here is a pdf version of the first 164 pages found in all aa books.
In the newest revision of the aa big book, the story that was most important to me in the book had its title change to remove the word addict. Thus, our basic text has been held in trust by first, the foundation, and now a. Psychiatrist in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and. An extraordinary reproduction of the original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymous, with essays and notes by a panel of celebrated aa historians. Chapter 7 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, 2nd edition. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Each 1st reference given in red is from the first edition. There were some cautions enumerated by bill in considering the revision of the big book.
This edited revision of the old, basic text is readerfriendly and carries the exact same message as. Some day we hope that alcoholics anonymous will help the public to a better realization of the gravity of the alcoholic problem, but we shall be of little use if our attitude is one of bitterness or hostility. You can use any of our indexes with either edition. With emphasis upon principles before personalities. And so can you, though you be but one man with this book in your hand. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation.
Jerry needed to know so he started upon a project to identify the changes that were made to various printings and editions of the big book. Big book changes these are the changes that have been made in the program portion of the big book the first 164 pages and the roman numeral pages since it was first published on april 10, 1939. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men. The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in aa during the early years of the 21st century. You will need the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. Steps by the big book steps by the big book workbook for.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, eighth printing 1945 big book, small war time publishing. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. An updated version of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. The van alstyne group is not affiliated with the the linked website or its authors. Aa book covers hard, leather, vinyl and more my 12.
The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in a. Below are copies in various formats of the big book. Also available as an ebook available to purchase from your favorite ebook retailer. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. 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. Original manuscript which went out to the fellowship a few months prior to the publication of the big book 1938. Inspiration from the big book of alcoholic anonymous. I wanted a 2nd edition aa big book to read the different stories in the back. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies.
Big book awakening for use with alcoholics anonymous fourth edition big book. We demand that the chapter the doctors opinion of the big. The big book is alcoholics anonymouss primary text. Search the alcoholics anonymous big book for phrases, key words, etc.
Redoing psas to show actors faces, group didnt like this, aa needs to show anonymity on tv. 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. If i didnt care about aa as a whole i would just silently attend meetings which accept me. Book is in very good condition with light stain to bottom endpages and some wear to bottom of spine front inside board, blank page, and title page have signatures. Bills story war fever ran high in the new england town to which we new, young officers from plattsburg were assigned, and we were flattered when the first citizens took us to their homes, making us feel heroic. B1 alcoholics anonymous fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. This is a list of the big book personal story authors, and either where they got sober or where they were from. Big book study guides for aa kindle edition by wilson, bill, reflections revisions, daily, step productions, twelve. Whether youre new to aa, or youre a seasoned veteran, this is the easiest and most useful app to aid in your recovery. Today, alcoholics anonymous has millions of members. The book marks the first time in modern history that alcoholism was recognized as a disease of the body and mind, instead of a moral failing. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the.
We demand that the chapter the doctors opinion of the big book of aa be revised or removed this petition had 47 supporters gaz b. This is a link to the complete 4 th edition of the aa bigbook online. It originated the twelvestep program now used widely among addictions outside alcohol. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aa s 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. Alcoholics anonymous big books abookman, a book man, book. The purpose of this study guide is to enable the student to better understand the information the authors of the book, alcoholics anonymous, intended to impart to each of us based on their experience and knowledge of alcoholism and their program of recovery.
Cofounder bill wilson began writing it in april 1938 at the business office of new york member hank p. The text and page numbers are the same in both the 3rd edition and 4th edition of the big book. The whytehouse is, i hope, a way to find that special phrase or saying etc. 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 as of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise.
Read the book alcoholics anonymous from the frontispiece through the end of chapter 11 a vision for you pg 164. Outlining the steps and traditions that make aa famous, as well as numerous stories about recovering addicts who have been through the process, the big book has. Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. The big book is one of the bestselling books of all times 30 million copies sold. The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. In the big book, as the text alcoholics anonymous is known, we read the written words of the first 100 men and women of aa as they were put in the way of a spiritual awakening. 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 free version features the full text of the big book, prayers, personal stories, podcasts, meeting finder, and more. 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. Aa first edition, eighth printing february, 1945 big books available for purchase.