Big book is actually a nickname for the book that caught on so universally that the official name is almost never used. 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. The e aa group also maintains an extensive englishlanguage aa meeting links directory, as well as personal stories contributed by group members. When i am disturbed, it is because i find some person, place, thing or situation some fact of my life unacceptable to me, and i can find no serenity until i accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Never could we recapture the great moments of the past. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. 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. The promises from pages 8384 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous if we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. The higher my expectations of other people are, the lower is my serenity. These are aspects of the alcoholics life and personality that are usually in effect before the alcoholic comes into aa and will continue unless the alcoholic actively works the steps each day. Accept in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12.
This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. 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. When i am disturbed, it is because i find some person, place, thing, or situationsome fact of my life unacceptable to me, and i can find no serenity until i accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. Big book acceptance is the answer to all of my problems today. The higher my expectations of other people are, the. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, find first, second, third, fourth and international editions. Call 419 5635905 or email abookman for more information, order a big book, or to sell your books. Download pamphlets and handouts to use in big book group sessions our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. When i am disturbed, it is because i find some person, place, thing, situation. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism.
The official name of the aa big book is alcoholics anonymous. I found this, a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous preface. New stories have been added to the personal histories. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
But then my rights try to move in, and they, too, can force my serenity level down. The explicit musts of the big book page 1 the explicit musts found in alcoholics anonymous 3rd. Jun 03, 2015 this was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. For the fourteen years i was in and out of recovery i barely cracked the literature. As part of his rehabilitation he commenced to present his conceptions to. According to the writer of that big book chapter, they had held a deep resentment towards someone. 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. As we all know, aa grew and developed across the world. Steps by the big book step 9 steps by the big book.
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. We know our friend is like a boy whistling in the dark to keep up his spirits. Its unfortunate for those who have taken half measures, but i would be willing to put my hand out to them when they return. Here they are, the 82 occurrences of the word must found in alcoholics anonymous 4th edition the doctors opinion 1 page xxiii. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. I have tried to identify all that i could find to identify for myself and other readers of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, here. Alcohol in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12.
My serenity is inversely proportional to my expectations. A vision for you, big book page 164 our book is meant to be suggestive only. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aas 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. Here is another example of a common misconception spread by wordofmouth. These are intended for further study and should not be taken out of context. High and low, rich and poor, these are future fellows of alcoholics anonymous. The explicit musts found in alcoholics anonymous 3rd. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Everyday 9am drop the rock ripple effect book study.
This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aa s founders before the first edition was printed. I just am unsure i understood what everything means exactly, and if i am living up to that choice. The book was written primarily by aa cofounder bill w. Quotations from the big book of alcoholics aonoymous. I can watch my serenity level rise when i discard my expectations. This is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. A portion of chapter 5 of the big book, pages 58, 59 and 60. On page 552 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous their basic text, there is a very helpful suggestion on how to rid yourself of resentments towards a person. Tell him some of the interesting stories you have read. Many of us have heard of the ninth step promises from page 8384 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. The eaa group also maintains an extensive englishlanguage aa meeting links directory, as well as personal stories contributed by group members.
Why dont you go home and get the big book and open it at page fiftyeight and see what. The most recent ones are nearest to the top of the page. The promises alcoholics anonymous of colorado springs. It is joyous intimacy with friends and a feeling that life is good. But not so with us in those last days of heavy drinking. That was a time when a handful of alcoholics discovered a solution to their seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. I feel its important for a recovering alcoholic to encounter the history of aa because they need to know where aa came from and. The first three editions of the aa big book provide an indication of the changes which occurred since aa began in the late 1930s. Chocolate in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. 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. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. The e aa group of alcoholics anonymous hosts aa meetings online email and chat and maintains public information aa discussion forums.
Quotations from the big book quotations came directly from the 3rd edition of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. On page 52 of the big book you can find a list of bedevilments. Tell him you have been worried, though perhaps needlessly. Dec 07, 2014 this big book is the source of the original program of aa, which saw 75% of the people who tried it succeed at longterm recovery. According to the writer of that big book chapter, they had held a. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. Jun 01, 2015 there were 4 musts in the first and second editions of alcoholics anonymous. Show him your copy of this book and tell him what you have found out about alcoholism. At this early part of the 21st century, membership in aa continues to grow, and a fourth edition will undoubtedly continue that trend. For most normal folks, drinking means conviviality. The original 1939 edition is a must have for anyone who has a passion for the history of alcoholics anonymous. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
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 the official website of the general service office g. Try in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12 traditions. Most of the information comes from aaws published or. There are, however, additional promises in 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 themselves. Thus we find the spiritual fellowship we share, and so will you. The book they wrote, alcoholics anonymous the big book, is the basic text for aa on how to. You can search the alcoholics anonymous big book for phrases, key words, etc. Big book acceptance was the answer linkedin slideshare. Some of the promises are directly associated with completion of a step. The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in a. The eaa group of alcoholics anonymous hosts aa meetings online email and chat and maintains public information aa discussion forums. Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.
A vision for you 155 this refers to bills first visit with dr. The page 552 prayer to end resentments sober catholic. This ebook is not a product of alcoholics anonymous. Go to enough twelve step meetings and youll encounter them. The following is a list ofapproximately 150 promises that i compiled from the first edition of the big book.
Show him that as alcoholics, the writers of the book understand. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. There were 4 musts in the first and second editions of alcoholics anonymous. The text of this document, original manuscript, was left just as it originally appeared in 1938. For most normal folks, drinking means conviviality, companionship and colorful imagination. 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. Mar 18, 2012 from page 417 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous and acceptance is the answer to all my problems today.
From page 417 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous and acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. Pankhurst started drinking again after the big book was published and died in 1954. Perhaps it is time to create a new, wiser big book. Aug 24, 2014 on page 552 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous their basic text, there is a very helpful suggestion on how to rid yourself of resentments towards a person. When i am disturbed, it is because i find some person, place, thing or situation some fact of my life unacceptable to me, and i can find no serenity until i accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be. Alcoholics anonymous big books abookman, a book man. He will presently try the old game again, for he isnt happy about his sobriety. In that state, the wrongdoing of others, fancied or real, had power to actually kill. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Alcoholics anonymous an interpretation of our twelve steps. When i am disturbed, it is because i find some person, place, thing, or situation some fact of my life unacceptable to me, and i can find no serenity until i accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to. All references to the topics will be found in the first 164 pages of the book, alcoholics anonymous.
They know the literature inside and out, quote it frequently and give the page number they are quoting from to underscore their authority. Alcoholics anonymous aa was founded in 1935 by bill wilson known as bill w. Feel free to email any quotes you may have or would like to see added. Inwardly he would give anything to take half a dozen drinks and get away with them. You think he ought to know the subject better, as everyone should have a clear understanding of the risk he takes if he drinks. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. If you think he will be shy of a spiritual remedy, ask him to look at the chapter on. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. Today, alcoholics anonymous has millions of members. Alcoholics anonymous is not a religious organization. Ask him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. Chocolate in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and. Alcoholism12 step support page 52 big book question quoteliveinpeace.
This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. A vision for you, big book page 164 alcoholics anonymous. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. Though going to meetings is fine, working the precise directions in the book is the program, and nothing else can do it.
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