This is the official website of the general service office g. Frequently asked questions about aa translation project. Alcoholics anonymous big books, temperance, aa grapevines. One of the most historically provocative pieces of recovery literature ever discoveredthe original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymouswill now be available to readers everywhere during this, the 75th anniversary of alcoholics anonymous, hazelden. January 1968 aa grapevine big book stories updated 4 of 5 this is the fourth article in the grapevine s series by authors of the personal histories in the big book, alcoholics anonymous. The original alcoholics anonymous big book manuscript. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. Manuscript of alcoholics anonymous big book goes up for. See more ideas about book quotes, quotes and aa quotes. Spiritual reading list original manuscript of the big book. The book that started it all the original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymous, is a must have for those interested in the history of aa. Biographies of the authors of the stories in the big book. Silkworth aa big book aa anonymity statement anonymity is the spiritual foundation of.
An extraordinary reproduction of the original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymous, with essays and notes by a panel of celebrated aa historians. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. The original manuscript of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, complete with the founders edits scrawled on the pages, went on display for. Find serious buyers for your aa material by contacting the catalog of alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous sues for return of original 12step. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. Help finding meetings abroad the musts in the big book. Why big book manuscript edits were so vital aa history. In fact, aa world services didnt realize they had the letter until it surfaced sometime in 2007. This book shows where the wording has changed from the first edition and has the exact reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. Jim b, whose big book story is the vicious cycle started aa in philadelphia and helped start aa in baltimore, maryland.
The original manuscript for the big book and a 1939 first edition. Alcoholics anonymous original manuscript signed by bill w. Alcoholics anonymous original manuscript rare prepublication printing of alcoholics anonymous the big book signed by bill w. An extraordinary reproduction of the original working manuscript of the big book of alcoholics anonymous, with an introduction and notes by a panel of. The big book of alcoholics anonymous has long been seen as holy writ by aa members. The original draft of the manuscript that would become the alcoholics anonymous big book, first published in 1939 by bill walton and dr. Original manuscript which went out to the fellowship a few months prior to the publication of the big book 1938. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aa s founders before the first edition was printed. Alcoholics anonymous sues to recover original manuscript. 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. Indianapolis colts owner jim irsay bought the big book, written by aa founder william bill w.
This book is great for the alcoholic who wants to learn more about the history of the aa big book while following the aa big book. The many changes that were made in black, green, and red on each page are show. William schabergs offering is a big book, almost 800 pages, about the big book, whose sales since 1939 now exceed 37 million copies. This is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. This is a list of the big book personal story authors, and either where they got sober or where they were from. However, a major change did occur when a new jersey psychiatrist dr.
Alcoholics anonymous big book collection up for auction. The book that started it all hardcover hazelden store. The original manuscript of the big book is up for auction. 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. Historic aa document belonging to jim irsay has public debut.
The original manuscript that became the basis for alcoholics anonymous is the subject of a new lawsuit by the organization, which wants to reclaim it before it can be auctioned next month. One of aas 12 traditions, from the big book, is to keep the organization and its name out of any public controversy. Bill w finished the prepublication manuscript multilith for the book, alcoholics anonymous, in december of 1938. Barry died in 1985, but the big book manuscript wasnt transferred to aa world services as was promised in barrys letter, and there isnt any evidence that aa world services presented the leach estate with barrys notarized letter. 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. The saga of the working manuscript of the aa big book came to a satisfactory conclusion at a may 5 th auction. Item called the big book is a manuscript created 25 years ago. They were collected over a lifetime by ken roberts, who last year put up for auction the original working manuscript for the big book. At the very least, the big book must rank as one of the most successful examples of writing by committee ever, and the manuscript is the evidence. Aa ends lawsuit over big book manuscript aa beyond belief.
Original alcoholics anonymous manuscript heads to auction. Aa the original way 12 step guide aa the original way group. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous.
The original copy of the big book is up for auction and. The big book has sold more than 30 million copies since it was first published in 1939, according to aas website. 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. No matter how far down the scale you have gone, you will see how your experience can benefit others 5.
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path directions. The original working manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. The original manuscript of emotional sobriety and food. You will comprehend the word serenity and know peace 4. Feature alcoholics anonymous sues for return of the big. The original working manuscript for the big book of aa. Writing the big book the creation of aa gives us an intensely detailed look at the eighteen month period during which aas principal text was produced. Wilsonaka bill w, cofounder of aaand first published in 1939, it lays. How it works 61 his arrangements would only stay put, if only people would do as he wished, the show would be great. You will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it 3. The original typed working manuscript for the big book of alcoholics anonymous is back on the auction block. Alcoholics anonymous has decided to drop the suit the group filed in may to block the sale of the original manuscript of the big book written in 1939 by aa cofounder bill wilson. Having slipped away from its intended caretakers at aa in 1985, the book had disappeared from public sight.
A fascinating glimpse into recovery history hazelden. The manuscripts provenance begins with bill wilson, the principal author of alcoholics anonymous, who maintained possession until his death in. Reproduced in this elegant gift edition with essays and notes by a panel of celebrated aa historians, the. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. The 161page manuscript for the work that became the bible to millions in recovery is going up for auction on june 8. If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length. Original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous the anonymous press. The big book of alcoholics anonymous is a big deal and the originals worth big bucks. Alcoholics anonymous founding document bought by jim irsay. Original manuscript of aas big book goes on display in.
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 distributed source aa gso ny. This is reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. William schaberg, aa expert, antiquarian book dealer and author of writing the big book. A fascinating glimpse into recovery history hazelden publishes the original working manuscript of the big book. Wilson, who cofounded alcoholics anonymous with robert holbrook dr. Original manuscript chaper 5 how it works alcoholics anonymous alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. The books are signed by the founding members of aa. Months before the first book publication of alcoholics anonymous, in april of 1939 a large volume with thick paper that was immediately nicknamed the big book aas printed and then distributed copies of the proposed book to approximately 100 or less, according to some reports of their members along with doctors, psychiatrists. This was made prior to publishing the big book of aa.
But for the first time ever, recovering alcoholics, scholars and the public will have access to the original manuscript, including editorial comments written in the margins that shaped its first edition. A lawsuit commenced by alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Aa big book manuscript a happy ending addiction treatment. 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. The text of this document, original manuscript, was left just as it originally appeared in 1938. Alcoholics anonymous drops manuscript lawsuit to avoid. Recoveryshop is the onestop shop for recovery meeting materials and 12step program related gifts. Colts owner jim irsay buys alcoholics anonymous founding document. The book that started it all offers fresh insights into the history and foundation of the revolutionary alcoholics anonymous program. The big book of alcoholics anonymous unknown binding january 1, 1983 4. That feeling of uselessness and selfpity will disappear.