Noah Vinter
Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the Big Book, is a program for recovery from alcoholism. The book was first published in 1939 and has since been translated into over 70 languages. The book's purpose was to show other alcoholics how the first 100 people in A.A. got sober. The first A.A. pamphlet was printed in New York by the Alcoholic Foundation in April 1940. The pamphlet included a series of six articles written by Larry J. for the Houston Press newspaper, as well as an article by Dr. Silkworth from the Lancet Journal. The Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship has been helping alcoholics recover for more than 80 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First published | 1939 |
| Purpose | Show other alcoholics how the first 100 people of A.A. got sober |
| Current status | Translated into over 70 languages and considered A.A.'s basic text |
| Publication details | Written by co-founder Bill W. and outlines A.A.'s philosophy, introduces the Twelve Steps, and includes case histories of 30 individuals who achieved recovery |
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What You'll Learn
The first printing of the AA 'Big Book' was published in 1939
The first printing of the AA Big Book, titled "Alcoholics Anonymous", was published in April 1939. It was written by Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The book was initially published by AA themselves through their newly established Works Publishing Inc. This decision was made due to financial difficulties in securing sufficient backing from publishers.
The AA Big Book was nicknamed the "Big Book" due to its large size. Wilson and Hank Parkhurst, who features in the First Edition, chose the cheapest, thickest paper available to justify the book's sale price of $3.50 per copy, a large sum in those days. The book was printed with unusually large margins, resulting in an unusually large book.
The first printing of the AA Big Book is considered a significant piece of AA history. It has become a highly sought-after collectible item, with 4,730 copies of the first edition published. The book was well-received by critics, with a reviewer for the New York Times noting that the book was unlike any other on the subject.
The first printing featured a typographical error on page 234, where the second and third lines from the bottom were printed twice. This error was corrected in subsequent printings. The dust jacket was designed by a New York AA member named Ray Campbell, whose story, "An Artist's Concept", appears in the First Edition. The chosen design was red, yellow, with a little black and white, and the words "Alcoholics Anonymous" in large white script.
The AA Big Book has since gone through multiple editions, with the second edition released in 1955. The book has been translated into over 70 languages and is still considered the basic text of AA.
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The book was initially self-published by AA
The book "Alcoholics Anonymous," also known as the "Big Book," is the basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous, a program of recovery from alcoholism. It was first published in 1939 by AA co-founders Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. However, before it was published by a professional publishing company, the book was initially self-published by AA.
In the early days of AA, Bill Wilson and the other early members recognized the need for a text that would outline the principles and practices of the program. They wanted a book that could serve as a guide for alcoholics seeking recovery and provide a clear message of hope and direction. So, they set out to write and compile what would become the "Big Book."
The writing process was a collaborative effort, with Bill Wilson playing a central role. He worked closely with other early AA members, including Dr. Bob Smith, who provided significant contributions. They shared their personal stories, experiences, and insights into alcoholism and recovery, shaping the content of the book. The text incorporated their ideas about the disease of alcoholism and the spiritual program of recovery that had helped them achieve sobriety.
Self-publishing the book was a practical decision at the time. In the late 1930s, finding a traditional publisher receptive to a book on alcoholism and recovery may have been challenging. By self-publishing, AA had control over the content, presentation, and distribution of the book. It also ensured that any proceeds from sales went directly back into supporting the growing fellowship and its mission.
The first edition of the "Big Book" was published in 1939, with a print run of around 5,000 copies. It was titled "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism." This initial self-published version laid the foundation for future editions and solidified the principles and practices of AA. The book provided a sense of common purpose and unity among members, and its publication marked a significant milestone in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.
As the fellowship grew and the effectiveness of the program became more widely known, subsequent editions of the "Big Book" were published by professional publishing houses, ensuring wider distribution and reaching a larger audience. However, the foundational work of self-publishing the initial version played a crucial role in the development and spread of the Alcoholics Anonymous program.
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The first printing had a typographical error on page 234
In early 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) published its foundational text, also known as the "Big Book". The book outlined AA's philosophy, introduced the Twelve Steps, and included the case histories of 30 individuals who had achieved recovery. The first printing, however, had a typographical error on page 234.
The "Big Book" was first published at a time when the AA fellowship was small and struggling financially. Its members had high hopes for the book's sales, and to make it look bigger and better value, they printed it on thick paper with large type. The book was written to show other alcoholics how the first 100 people of AA got sober. It has since been translated into over 70 languages and is still considered the basic text of AA.
The "Big Book" has gone through several editions since its first publication. The second edition, written in 1955, included a foreword that introduced the Twelve Traditions for the first time and expressed gratitude towards "friends of AA". By the time the third edition was published in 1976, AA membership had grown significantly, with over one million members in 90 countries and increasing participation from women and young people.
The fourth edition of the "Big Book" includes a doctor's opinion from Dr. William D. Silkworth, who treated co-founder Bill W. and other alcoholics. In his opinion piece, Dr. Silkworth reported on the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous, describing the physical "allergy" and the "phenomenon of craving" characteristic of alcoholism, as well as the "psychic change" necessary for recovery. The fourth edition also includes "Bill's Story", where Bill W. recounts his journey from a successful stockbroker to an alcoholic and explains how a visit from an old friend inspired his recovery and planted the seeds of Alcoholics Anonymous.
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The book was nicknamed the 'Big Book' because of its size
The book, titled 'Alcoholics Anonymous': commonly referred to as "the Big Book," was first published in 1939. It serves as a guide for alcoholics and those seeking a path to recovery and sobriety. The text is based on the personal experiences of its authors, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, who founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1935. The book outlines a 12-step program that has become the foundation for AA's approach to recovery and has helped countless individuals overcome their addiction to alcohol.
The nickname "Big Book" is attributed to its physical size; it is indeed a sizable volume. The first edition, printed in 1939, was a substantial 400 pages, and subsequent editions have maintained a similar length. The large format was intentional, as the authors wanted to provide a comprehensive and detailed guide that would offer hope and practical advice to those struggling with alcoholism.
The book is designed to be a practical resource, and its size reflects the depth and breadth of information it contains. It includes personal stories and testimonies from alcoholics, providing a sense of shared experience and community for readers. These stories are interspersed with explanatory text, offering a detailed explanation of the disease of alcoholism and presenting the 12-step program as a solution. The length of the book also allows for a thorough exploration of each step, providing readers with a clear path to follow on their journey to sobriety.
The "Big Book" has become an iconic text, not just within AA but also in the wider field of addiction recovery. Its size is symbolic of the comprehensive nature of the program it outlines and the level of detail provided to support those seeking recovery. The book's format and length have been carefully considered to offer a sense of substance and authority, reflecting the seriousness of the issue it addresses and providing a sense of hope and possibility for those it aims to help.
The term "Big Book" has also taken on a more metaphorical significance within AA culture. It symbolizes the idea that recovery is a significant and all-encompassing process, requiring a deep dive into one's personal experiences, thoughts, and behaviors. The act of working through the 12 steps, often with a sponsor or guide, becomes a transformative journey, and the book's size reflects the magnitude of this undertaking.
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$14.75
The first edition introduced the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous
The first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as "The Big Book", was published in 1939. It was written to show other alcoholics how the first 100 people in AA achieved sobriety. The book introduced the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, a group of diverse alcoholics who have "lost the power of choice in drink" and whose common solution to their problem with alcohol involves a profound "spiritual experience".
The book outlines the philosophy of AA, including the Twelve Steps, and includes the case histories of 30 individuals who have achieved recovery. The Twelve Steps were influenced by the Oxford Group's six steps and various readings, including William James's "The Varieties of Religious Experience". The first edition of the book marked a significant milestone in AA's development.
The early members of AA printed the book on thick paper and used large type to make it look bigger and better value. They had high hopes for the book's sales as they had no financial resources. The book has since been translated into over 70 languages and is still considered AA's basic text.
The foreword of the first edition of "The Big Book" states: "We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women [in 1939] who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book." The book also includes a doctor's opinion, in which Dr. William D. Silkworth, who treated co-founder Bill W. and other alcoholics, reported on the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous and described the physical "allergy" and the "phenomenon of craving" characteristic of alcoholism, as well as the "psychic change" necessary for recovery.
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