All below achieved at least some period of sobriety. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition, 1st printing, april 1939 works publishing company. 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. The following is the complete audio and text of the original book alcoholics anonymous written in 1939. Alcoholics anonymous the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions, the latter explaining aas fundamental principles in depth.
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. 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. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. It is a jokey reference that goes back to aas humble beginnings. Cofounder bill wilson began writing it in april 1938 at the business office of new york member hank p. Bill wilson had been a stock analyst at the time he met dr bob smith the co. Cornwall press was contracted to print the book in 1939. The first section of the big book of alcoholics anonymous has not changed or been revised in any of the four editions. 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. Even a stamp loan copy could not legally replace the requested notice.
The original alcoholics anonymous book was auctioned for millions, but. Works publishing company, april 1939, hardcover 400pp. Bill wilson alcoholics anonymous 19391939 first edition. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939. Alcoholics anonymous the big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. It has been 40 years since ernie kurtz wrote notgod, the last truly professional treatment of the history of alcoholics anonymous. More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation.
I feel its important for a recovering alcoholic to encounter the history of aa because they need to know where aa came from and. Bill wilson had been a stock analyst at the time he met dr bob smith the co founder, a doctor and surgeon. 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. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 576 pages and is available in paperback format. The original 1939 edition is a must have for anyone who has a passion for the history of alcoholics anonymous. 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. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book abebooks. History pioneers of alcoholics anonymous 1934 1939. 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. Cornwall press would deliver copies to works publishing company, with an office on william street in newark, new jersey. Make offer alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 3rd printing 1942 rdj baby blue alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 2nd printing. There was no need for, because was used to protect profits from exclusive book sales.
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. 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. By intention it was not ed when first published and distributed about 400 copies january 1939. Bob smith, who developed the organizations 12step program. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing big book origin. In this series, we will be discussing much of the history surrounding the first edition big book. Big book is in very good condition with light wear to spine gold gilding strong on front and spine. Bill, i need you to write a book, a big book, an important one, a kind of bible for the hopeless. Members often refer to alcoholics anonymous as the big book, but not to compare it with any sacred text. Alcoholics anonymous by bill wilson, first edition abebooks. With no financial resources, big hopes were placed on sales of the big book.
Alcoholics anonymous publishes several books, reports, pamphlets, and other media, including a periodical known as the aa grapevine. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa big. 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. We are bringing to you a series about the alcoholics anonymous basic text. A sixmonth sobriety coin and a copy of alcoholics anonymouss big book lies. Alcoholics anonymous which we in aa affectionately call the big book. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover. It still stands as today as the primary text for aa and is the foundation for most other 12 step programs. 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. 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. Free download or read online alcoholics anonymous pdf epub book. It is the first text written about the experiences of the founders of the a.
The most wanted book so far and one of a handful of books from the 20th century to have radically changed peoples lives. 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. It was mandatory to have such notice on each and every copy of the book. This original 1939 edition outlines the famous 12 steps, and offers counsel for those who wish to. Pdf alcoholics anonymous book by alcoholics anonymous. Parkhurst at honors dealers, 17 william st, newark, new jersey. Some who failed may have achieved permanent sobriety later. The firstedition, firstprint book published in 1939, is often called the big book due to the thickness of its. The first 11, basic chapters were written by bill w. Largeprint, softcover, 7 x 10 14, in type size recommended as suitable for the visually handicapped. The big book has gone through numerous editions and remains the most widely used resource for recovering alcoholics.
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. In 1939, they published this volume, which sets forth the cornerstone concepts of recovery and relates stories of those who have overcome alcoholism. The seller of this book sold on ebay, describes the book as being in. However, the fledgling aa organization had no funds to pay for the print run itself so the publisher kept the. Detailsfourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. Informally known as the big book, it has gone through numerous. New stories have been added to the personal histories.
The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. 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. 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. Station 2 christ accepts the cross by david michalek. Portable, softcover, unabridged fourth edition, 4 12 x 7. On april 10, 1939, 4,650 copies of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, became available for distribution. No writing or markings to except first blank page where previous owners name was written in pencil and erased. 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. Alcoholics anonymous hardback fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a.
The first edition of the novel was published in 1939, and was written by alcoholics anonymous. 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. 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. Alcoholics anonymous 1939, ie the big book frequencies. Pdf alcoholics anonymous book by alcoholics anonymous free. Alcoholics anonymous was founded in 1935 by bill wilson and dr. The aa program of recovery is set forth in the twelve steps aa was founded in 1935 in akron, ohio. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile of the 1st printing of the big book aa alcoholics anonymous bill w. 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. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. 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.
This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Its first printing in 1939 was on very thick paper, so it came out surprisingly fat and was laughingly dubbed the big book. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. 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. The main characters of this non fiction, self help story are. B1 alcoholics anonymous fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. 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. Since the book alcoholics anonymous first appeared in 1939, this basic text has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism.
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 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa. 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. The story of how more than one hundred men have recovered from alcoholism. Pdf download alcoholics anonymous the big book free. Although several versions have been published over the years, only this edition includes all 29 stories of. It is intended to carry the aa message to modern readers who find the original big book hard to digest for any reason. 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. 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. The first printing of the first edition was published in april of 1939, followed by. The recovery zone is proud to present this free of charge to our visitors. 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 purpose of the book was unselfish help and not profits. 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. Bill wilson published by works publishing, new york 1939. When the book was published in 1939 the aa fellowship was small and struggling. The official publication date of the first printing of our big book, as noted by the united states copyright office, was april 10, 1939.