Fiftysix retired stories from the first three editions of the big book come back in print in this anthology. Although the book launched one of the great spiritual movements of the 20th century, the. Alcoholics anonymous first edition bill wilson first edition signed. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Originally published in 1939 by author and aa cofounder william g. B1 alcoholics anonymous fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. It is common in aa lore to hear claims that the big book is the secondmost printed book of alltime, second only to the bible. First printings are rare, signed and inscribed copies exceptionally so.
A brief history of the big book shipped with all orders. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. 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. The description says 2nd edition big book, not the same 164 pages and the same forewords that are in the 3rd and 4th editions. New stories have been added to the personal histories. The big book is an outline for recovery, never claiming to be a cure or a certain solution for everyone and anything. Jul 17, 2016 therefore, the first portion of this volume has been left untouched in the course of revisions made for both the second and third editions. By the time the second edition appeared in 1955, membership had reached over 150,000, and the big book, a. No writing or markings to except first blank page where previous owners name was written in pencil and erased. His story, the vicious cycle, was published in the big books 2nd through 4th editions.
Several more expensive copies are available via abebooks. The whytehouse is, i hope, a way to find that special phrase or saying etc. Call 419 5635905 or email abookman for more information, order a big book, or to sell your books. A copy of the fourth edition of the big book in a boxed set with experience, strength and hope, the anthology containing the 56 stories retired from the first three editions of the big book. Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. It carries an incredible social and historical significance with its commercial value skyrocketing. Classes were attended by the many newcomers who were then joining the group and they were run using a set.
The books first editions of any printing are incredibly scarce. Alcoholics had precious few options before bill w saw the light. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, find first, second, third, fourth and international editions. This is a gross inaccuracy as approximately 30 million total copies have been printed. This was an attempt by bill w to give the impression the purchaser was getting something for the price, which was very high in 1939. Big book is in very good condition with light wear to spine gold gilding strong on front and spine. The book marks the first time in modern history that alcoholism was recognized as a disease of. This is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous the big book is one of the bestselling books of all time, having sold. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, sixteenth printing 1954 big book. 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. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aa s founders before the first edition was printed. The text of this document, original manuscript, was left just as it originally appeared in 1938.
Comes with its original dust jacket, having chips and tears, protected in an acid free cover. The second edi tion, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,000 copies. He wrote the first history of aa called the evolution of alcoholics anonymous, which sketched aas beginning years from 1935 to 1940. Editions of alcoholics anonymous by alcoholics anonymous. The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to auction fine. I wanted a 2nd edition aa big book to read the different stories in the back. The entire original and unchanged text and stories. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies. The big book is one of the bestselling books of all time, with over 30 million copies in print. You may also include in your signature that all big book quotes are from the first edition to avoid having to write it every time you quote from the big book. B20 fiftysix retired stories from the first three editions of the big book come back in print in this anthology. Find cornerstone concepts of recovery and personal stories in these special edition aa books. Save aa big book first edition to get email alerts and updates on your.
Alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 75th anniversary reprint hardback wdj. Includes a section detailing where the main text differs from the modern 3rd and 4th edition text. Foreword to first edition this is the foreword as it appeared in the. It is my hope that you will find this site useful to you and our friends of bill w. Works publishing company, april 1939, hardcover 400pp. Alcoholics anonymous shop big book 75th anniversary 1st. He played a key role in the publication of the 1940 saturday evening post article written by jack alexander.
Get cozy and expand your home library with a large. 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. Alcoholics anonymous by bill wilson, first edition abebooks. Make offer alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 2nd printing. Fun to have a reproduction of the first edition as a collection for my shelf. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa. 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. Our online big book is used by thousands of people all over the world, and incurs substantial bandwidth expense.
Therefore, the first portion of this volume has been left untouched in the course of revisions made for both the second and third editions. It was printed on thick paper and had wide margins. There were 4,730 books printed, with red cloth binding, wide columns, thick paper which was why it was called the big book in the first place, and a red, yellow. 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. This is the third edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymousthe big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. W e, ofalcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book.
This is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. First edition, first printing of the aa big book in the original red cloth and jacket. Alcoholics anonymous big books 1939 first editions, first. An as new first printing of the offical reissue of the book listed by the library of congress as. 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. I have provided a link in a couple of places on this page for your convenience, so you can get to the search page. The first 164 pages of the big book is the outline for recovery, which constitute the program of recovery. Marty mann 19041980 wrote the chapter women suffer too in the second through fourth editions of the big book. Alcoholics anonymous world services cornwall press, cornwall, ny, 2014. Authorised reproduction of the first edition of alcoholics anonymous.
There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. The large print fourth edition of alcoholics anonymouse, affectionately known as the big book, includes twentyfour new stories and continues to pass on aa s message of hope and recovery to millions. Unfollow aa big book first edition to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first edition. If you quote material from the first edition please include in your post that it is quoted from the first edition. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book abebooks. 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. Some people have recovered from alcoholism, though, and the big book offers a suggested outline that seems to help a few. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. Boxed set of alcoholics anonymous and experience, strength. Alcoholics anonymous, preface to the third edition, p. A seventh printing sold for 2,750 several years ago but you are unlikely to find that printing as cheap as that again.
Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Alcoholics anonymous first edition big book aaspeaker. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, first second. Because this book has become the basic text for our. In this big book the founders of aa outline the organizations successful twelve step treatment method in one of the best selling books of all time. There are more than 79 differences between the current text of the first 164 pages and the original text.
Landmark work not merely in saving the minds, souls and bodies of millions of out of control drinkers but also in being the first broad manifestation of group movements, steps, sharing self help and what later became known as recovery. 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. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. Bob smith first edition, first printing of the little red bookin 1942, ed webster, a member of the nicollet group of alcoholics anonymous in minneapolis, began teaching classes on the study and application of the twelve steps of a. 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. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book. Aa big book aa big book taghere the foundation progress and principles washington temperance society of baltimore the missionary spirit alcoholism recovery 3rd edition 2nd edition alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. 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. Alcoholics anonymous big book collection up for auction.
With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. 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. The large print fourth edition of alcoholics anonymouse, affectionately known as the big book, includes twentyfour new stories and continues to pass on aas message of hope and recovery to millions. We expect that this contribution to the recovering community worldwide will continue to grow, as our online big book is a great study tool. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. Mar 01, 20 the books first editions of any printing are incredibly scarce. Unfollow alcoholics anonymous first edition big book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Alcoholics anonymous big book large print 4th edition. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. From first editions to 75thanniversary editions, we have the alcohol anonymous book for sale that will help you or a loved one during the 12 step recovery process. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. Aa big book aa big book taghere the foundation progress and principles washington.
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