| The Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) | |
|---|---|
2nd edition cover, 1955 |
|
| Author(s) | Bill W. & Dr. Bob |
| Country | United States of America |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | Alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous |
| Genre(s) | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. |
| Publication date | April 10, 1939 (1st ed.) 1955 (2nd ed.) |
| ISBN | 1893007162 |
| OCLC Number | 408888189 |
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (generally known as The Big Book because of the relative size of the first edition) is a 1939 self-help text on alcoholism, written by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous(AA), Bill W. & Dr. Bob.[1] It is the originator of the seminal "twelve-step method" widely used to attempt to treat many addictions, from alcoholism and heroin addiction to marijuana addiction, as well as overeating, sex addiction, gambling addiction, and even family members of alcoholics, with a strong spiritual and social emphasis, contrasted with and sometimes used in concert with psychological and pharmacological methods of addiction treatment.[1]
Having sold 30 million copies, it is in the list of best-selling books of all time.[2][3] In 2011, the TIME magazine placed the book in its list, 100 best and most influential books written in English since 1923, the beginning of the magazine.[1]
Contents |
The Big Book was originally published in 1939 by Bill W. (William Griffith Wilson) and Dr. Bob (Robert Holbrook Smith). Together they founded the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) fellowship. The book serves as the basic text of AA. There has been a series of reprints and revisions, as well as translations into dozens of languages. The second edition (1955) consisted of 1,150,000 copies. The book is published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. and is available through AA offices and meetings, as well as through booksellers. The 4th Edition (2001) is also freely available online.[4] Marty Mann (1904 – 1980) wrote the chapter "Women Suffer Too" in the second through fourth editions of the Big Book.
Bill W. started writing the book in the beginning on 1938. [5] Charles B. Towns (1862–1947), an expert on alcoholism and drug addiction, who was a supporter and creditor of Alcoholics Anonymous, lending Wilson $2500 ($38000 in 2008 dollar values)[6] to enable him to write what became the "The Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous.[7] The table on which the book was written is now in a house named, Stepping Stones in Katonah, New York, belonging to Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill W. and his wife Lois Burnham Wilson. The house is now part of National Register of Historic Places listings in Westchester County, New York and a museum. The desk on which Bill wrote "The Big Book", originally belonged to a friend who had lent him an office in Newark for the project, it was eventually moved to Stepping Stones and now resides at "Wit's End," the office retreat he built on the property. [8] President Richard Nixon received the millionth copy of the book, [8] while the 25-millionth copy of the Big Book was presented to Jill Brown, of San Quentin State Prison, at the International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to commemorate the fact that, in 1941 the first prison meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous took place at San Quentin.
The book[9] consists of over 400 pages. Bill's Story and Dr. Bob's Nightmare and the personal experiences of some alcoholics are detailed as well as the series of solutions which evolved to become the twelve step program. How to use the twelve steps is explained using examples and anecdotes. Some chapters target a specific audience. One chapter is devoted to agnostics, while another is named "To Wives" (the first AA members were only men), and still another is for employers. The second part of the book (whose content varies from edition to edition) is a collection of personal stories, in which alcoholics tell their stories of addiction and recovery.
Frequently mentioned sections are:
The main goal of the book, according to many reports, is to make it possible for the reader to find a power greater than himself to solve his problem. The writers indicate that an alcoholic "of our type" can under no circumstances become a moderate drinker: only abstinence can lead to recovery. By way of anecdotal evidence, the example is provided of a man who, after 25 years sobriety, began to drink moderately and within two months landed in hospital. The reasoning is: once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.
In the book it is written that it is impossible to quit drinking by oneself. A new attitude or set of values also would not help. Whosoever is an alcoholic must admit that they cannot help themselves alone. Only a "higher power" can help. An example of a man named Fred is given, who had no control over his drinking, but finally leads an "infinitely more satisfying life" than before thanks to the previously unexplained spiritual principles of AA. In the introduction to the Big Book, Dr. Silkworth, a specialist in the treatment of alcoholism, endorses the AA program after treating Bill W, the founder of AA, and other apparently hopeless alcoholics who then regained their health by joining the AA fellowship. "For most cases," Dr Silkworth claimed, "there is no other solution" than a spiritual solution. Today "many doctors and psychiatrists" confirm the effects of AA.[10]
Quote: Once more: The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power.[10]
This article was translated from the German Wikipedia article January 27, 2010.