The text got this name because the first edition of the book had rather thick pages, making the book even thicker than its content would suggest. One of the ways to do so would be to honestly look at how nonbelievers atheist, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists, secularists, etc. I have been reading the book alcoholics anonymous for most of my nearly 17 yrs of recovery last drink jan 30, 1994, although the first time i read it was 1977. Thankfully we have the guidance of those who have gone before us to ease our entry into a sober home life. One of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. Critique of chapter 5 of the big book how it works aa agnostica. John is an expert on the aa big book and a recovering alcoholic with more than 15 years.
You can search the alcoholics anonymous big book for phrases, key words, etc. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. From the first draft of the indepth history of alcoholics anonymous as prepared by bob pearson. The primary purpose of this site is to carry the message contained within the big book of alcoholics anonymous. May 21, 2008 this has left historians and aa members divided over some important questions. This has left historians and aa members divided over some important questions. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is often referred to in alcoholics anonymous meetings aa as the big book. An alcoholic reading through the big book of alcoholics anonymous for the first time might be tempted to skip over chapter 8 since it is titled to wives but on further examination, will find that it was actually written by bill w. The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services and is available through aa offices and meetings, as well as through booksellers.
Being all powerful, he provided what we needed, if we kept close to him and performed his work well. Chapter 3 more about alcoholism m ost of ushave been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. Reading guide for we agnostics amethyst recovery center. As was the case for many of us before we entered aa, of course. Since alcoholism effects us physically, mentally and spiritually more on that in working step 1, its important to realize that aa s solution to alcoholism as outlined in the big book would also need to have three parts.
Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. I can relate to a time in my life when i had everything going well for me and my habit got the best of me and caused me to lose my employment. 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. We knew that we needed to quit, but figured we could do it our own way. Can someone give me a summary of alcoholic anonymous. Experience the big book is a guided, detailed study of the aa big book and 12 steps, by dr. Therefore, it is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people.
There was another part of bills story that impacted me. The 4th edition 2001 is also freely available online. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic. We agnostics is the fourth chapter of alcoholics anonymous, or the fifth if you include. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. First time i read it, i said, well, golly, i havent lost everything. There has been a series of reprints and revisions, as well as. His present views ought to prove exception ally useful to business men everywhere.
Now that we have made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to god as we understand him and have written down all the things that are blocking us, it is time for more. The big book of alcoholics anonymous kindle edition by. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Chapter 1 bills story w ar feverran high in the new england town to which we new, young of. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous. If he is alcoholic, he will understand you at once. This chapter introduces the twelve steps, which is the whole program, followed by a breakdown of steps 3 and 4. Discuss and reflect upon the concepts of honesty, openmindedness and. A perspective on we agnostics chapter 4 of the big book how could there possibly be a god when there are so many starving people and wars where everybody says god is on their side. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Chapter five of the big book includes the 12 steps for the. Alcoholics anonymous the big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. I usually like to start a study of the big book way of life with something on the circle and triangle.
What about those sanctimonious church goers who judge me for my sins and then commit their own. 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. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. Oct 12, 2017 one of the ways to do so would be to honestly look at how nonbelievers atheist, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists, secularists, etc.
We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. A perspective on we agnostics chapter 4 of the big book. Is this the christian god, or can we really take this to mean a god of our own understanding. An excerpt from the big books chapter 9 the family afterwardabout taking care of our health body and mind. Marty mann 19041980 wrote the chapter women suffer too in the second through fourth editions of the big book. In its chapter, we agnostics, the big book outlines its attitude toward spiritual and religious matters. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Chapter 1 is bills story one of the cofounders of aa. Chapter 4 we agnostics page 40 for either case, atheist or agnostic, we are going to have to find some way to have this spiritual experience, and to use this power greater than human power. Nov 04, 2019 alcoholics anonymous believes that recovery is a lifelong process, so the big book is a continual companion in a recovering alcoholics life. From the first draft of the in depth history of alcoholics anonymous as prepared by bob pearson. A narrative timeline of aa history william white papers. For many of us that seems to be an impossible task.
Nearly two centuries before the advent of alcoholics anonymous, john. I havent gotten to the point where i must have alcohol upon waking up. There were 4 musts in the first and second editions of alcoholics anonymous. 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. Our so called will power becomes practically nonexistent. Alcoholics anonymous publishes several books, reports, pamphlets, and other media, including a periodical known as the aa grapevine. The big book serves as the foundation for the alcoholics anonymous 12step program. How it works 63 when we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed. Buy a cheap copy of alcoholics anonymous book by alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. Skipping this chapter for any reason would be a serious oversight and one that might hinder, rather than help, the soontoberecovering alcoholic.
We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. Aa, alcoholics anonymous, the big book, box 459, the grapevine, gv, box 1980. Discuss and reflect upon the concept of insanity and how it applies to you as a compulsive debtor. For a great many of us, sitting quietly alone for 15 or 20 minutes before starting each. Wilson started writing on september 15th, 1938 and wrote more about. Jan 14, 2011 chapter 1 is bills story one of the cofounders of aa. Prior to his journey to akron, the broker had worked hard with many. Before then, i had written lots of sweet promises, but. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymoushow it works. 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 helped guide millions into a life of sobriety. How can the hurt feelings, anger, fear, guilt and remorse be assuaged. Alcoholics anonymous aa was founded in 1935 by bill wilson known as bill w.
Reading guide for bills story amethyst recovery center. Alcoholics anonymous the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions, the latter explaining aas fundamental principles in depth. Whether youre new to aa, or youre a seasoned veteran, this is the easiest and most useful app to aid in your recovery. The big book was originally published in 1939 by bill w. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. Marty mann 19041980 wrote the chapter women suffer too. The fourth edition includes twentyfour new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in a. In many ways, chapter 9 of the alcoholics anonymous big book is about. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous into action. The free version features the full text of the big book, prayers, personal stories, podcasts, meeting finder, and more. Nov 05, 2015 provided to youtube by cdbaby more about alcoholism alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous.
Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the big book of alcoholics anonymous. After the third and fourth chapters of the big book were completed, wilson. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. Chapter 4 we agnostics i n the precedingchapters you have learned something of alcoholism. The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. Here they are, the 82 occurrences of the word must found in alcoholics anonymous 4th edition the doctors opinion 1 page xxiii. The text of this document, original manuscript, was left just as it originally appeared in 1938.
Inc, 16 june 2016, archived from the original pdf on 15 december 2009. 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 is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. This tragic situation has already arrived in practically every case long before it is suspected. In the parking lot, i sat in my car for about fifteen minutes before the meeting started. Apr 03, 2017 a little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymoushow it works. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following. 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. Is there any one best way of sponsoring a newcomer. In essence, the chapter emphasizes that all drunks come into aa as agnostics and godless but, over time, they rid themselves of that ridiculous concept and see the path towards a higher power code speak for the more commonly used word god. Aa speaker turn our will and our lives over to the care of god new 20 duration. This chapter introduces the twelve steps, which is the whole program, followed by a breakdown of steps 3.
With over 400 pages, the big book is filled with personal anecdotes of alcoholics and the 12 steps that pave the path to recovery. Dahow 90 questions on steps one through three page 3 11. Recovering alcoholics regularly refer to the big book as they progress in recovery, and they use it to help new members as they begin their recovery process. Apr 17, 2017 a little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous into action. This is valid and i have presented similar thoughts before. Everybody knows that those in bad health, and those who seldom play, do not laugh much. Alcoholics anonymous believes that recovery is a lifelong process, so the big book is a continual companion in a recovering alcoholics life.
To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Together they founded the alcoholics anonymous aa fellowship. Aas big book chapter 9taking care of our health body and mind categories. Smith to talk with wilson, but smith insisted the meeting be limited to 15 minutes. Provided to youtube by cdbaby more about alcoholism alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous. All bb quotes are from the 1st edition of the big book depression is not a. Before coming to aa, 63% of members received some type of treatment or.
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Chapter 10 to employers a mong many employers nowadays, we think of one member who has spent much of his life in the world of big business. Alcohol addiction treatment and recovery information. 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 big book the main 164 pages, prayers, personal stories, and more. Give him an account of the struggles you made to stop. It basically tells his life from when he was an officer in wwi and then his progression into alcoholism and then his visit from ebby thatcher and his sobriety. In 1798, a year before washingtons death, it produced 11,000 gallons of whiskey and. Bob, the first two members of aa, it teaches by examples and stories of both what not to do and what works. All things aa related big books, step working guides, meditations, medallions, posters and more. The big book would advise you, however, not to be too perturbed by these references. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of.