A lot happens here, as many threads of the story reach their tipping points. How to use the twelve steps is explained using examples and anecdotes. First time i read it, i said, well, golly, i havent lost everything. As was the case for many of us before we entered aa, of course. Our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. Reading guide for bills story amethyst recovery center. The purpose of this study guide is to enable the student to better understand the information the authors of the book, alcoholics anonymous, intended to impart to each of us based on their experience and knowledge of alcoholism and their program of recovery. Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a stren uous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in our selves which had been blocking us. Marty mann 19041980 wrote the chapter women suffer too in the second through fourth editions of the big book. Chapter 9 the family afterward o ur women folk have suggested certain atti tudes a wife may take with the husband who is recovering. Working with otherstoday we begin chapter 7 working with others which is of course the suggestion of the 12th step. All members of the family should meet upon the com.
But i will not have the benefit of contact with you who write this book. The big book is well over 400 pages long and contains numerous chapters. Aa big book with questions for discussion emotional. Appendices i vi found in the back of the basic text. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. The dying general is being blackmailed by arthur geiger, who claims that sternwoods daughter carmen owes him gambling debts. Original manuscript chaper 5 how it works alcoholics anonymous alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. This is valid and i have presented similar thoughts before.
A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous a. Chapter 11, a vision for you is a summary of the big book, the program of alcoholics anonymous, and the growth of the fellowship at that time1939. 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 steps helped each of the cofounders of aa in their own recovery from alcoholism and have continued to help countless. In its chapter, we agnostics, the big book outlines its attitude toward spiritual and religious matters. Chapter 1 is bills story one of the cofounders of aa. It was one of the first to suggest that alcoholism was an illness, not a character defect. If you would like to become a member, please send a blank email to. What two things has to happen for everyone in that town to have an opportunity to recover, if heshe can or will.
Can someone give me a summary of alcoholic anonymous. In chapter 9, dirk is 8 years old and is big enough to help in the fields. The most detailed book summary of alcoholics anonymous. Big book study group series, part chapter 11a vision for you p. What message do you think they were delivering to potential new people around aa versus the message that is delivered today in aa. Read the book alcoholics anonymous from the frontispiece through the end of chapter 11 a vision for you pg 164. In addition, the chapter, to wives was not actually written by lois wilson, which further supports the claims of aa being antifeminist who wrote chapter 8 of the big book, to wives. Is this the christian god, or can we really take this to mean a god of our own understanding.
The big book of alcoholics anonymous the world famous eye. There is every evidence that women regain their health as readily as men if they try our suggestions. Alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12step programs that have been established. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. One of the ways to do so would be to honestly look at how nonbelievers atheist, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists, secularists, etc. Alcoholics anonymous big book for palm, windows mobile. Alcoholics anonymous or the big book as it is commonly called was first published in 1939 and was subtitled the story of how many. Give him an account of the struggles you made to stop. A fellowship developed and he was able to watching the fledgling alcoholics anonymous grow. I havent gotten to the point where i must have alcohol upon waking up. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. It originated the twelvestep program now used widely among addictions outside alcohol.
We have adapted the content from eaa to work on almost all pdas and handheld computers. But what we have said applies quite as much to women. The big book friends is an informal discussion group where men and women interested in the big book of alcoholics anonymous daily discuss the pages of the big book. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous. These 12 steps are outlined in chapter 5, how it works, of the big book. 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. Big book overview alcoholics anonymous or the big book as it is commonly called was first published in 1939 and was subtitled the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. Perhaps they created the impression that he is to be wrapped in cotton wool and placed on a pedestal.
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. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. This is a gross inaccuracy as approximately 30 million total copies have been printed. As discussed in the previous chapter, selfwill is not sufficient for overcoming. 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. 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. The primary purpose of this site is to carry the message contained within the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Bearing in mind that step 12 is fundamentally the special insight of bill wilson when alone, on the verge of relapse as he wandered up and down the lobby of the mayflower hotel in akron in june of 1935 instead of the bar he called the local episcopalian minister reverend walter. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aa s 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa.
Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. It is the first text written about the experiences of the founders of the a. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. There was another part of bills story that impacted me. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Chapter 2 there is a solution w e, of alcoholics anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as bill. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. The big book is alcoholics anonymouss primary text. Jul 04, 2017 a little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous a vision for you. Big book of alcoholics anonymous, the chapter there is a. Big book study group series, part chapter 11a vision for. 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. Silkworth aa big book aa anonymity statement anonymity is the spiritual foundation of. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
This makes bills story one of the most important chapters in the big book. One of many good places to begin is in alcoholics anonymous aka the big book, specifically chapter 4, we agnostics. The big book study seriespart 9 chapter 7 working with. Drs opinion 4th edition p xxv bills story chapter 1 p 1 16 there is a solution chapter 2 p 16 30 more about alcoholism chapter 3 p 30 43 we agnostics chapter 4 p 44 57 how it works chapter 5 p 58 71 into action continue reading big book of alcoholics anonymous. This has left historians and aa members divided over some important questions. We agnostics is the fourth chapter of alcoholics anonymous, or the fifth if you include the doctors opinion. All sections of this country and many of its occupations are represented, as well as many political, economic, social, and reli. 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. Friends and family of alcoholics chapter 8 in the big book i read the chapter to the wives from the big book yesterday afternoon for the second time.
Jan 14, 2011 chapter 1 is bills story one of the cofounders of aa. A vision for you the pay phone from the lobby of the mayflower hotel the pay phone and directory of churches. The first time i read it i wanted to throw the book into the fire and never look at it again. We suggest you do this as we have done it in the chapter on alcoholism.
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. A spiritual view beyond the limits of traditional religion by ken w. All references to the topics will be found in the first 164 pages of the book, alcoholics anonymous. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Chapter in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. A little ditty on the big book, alcoholics anonymous a vision for you. If he is alcoholic, he will understand you at once. Reading guide for we agnostics amethyst recovery center. 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. For the serious student of the aa big book, what follows are some recommendations from the author of this study guide in the approach to take when utilizing this supplemental material.
Oct 12, 2017 one of the ways to do so would be to honestly look at how nonbelievers atheist, agnostics, freethinkers, humanists, secularists, etc. Can someone give me a summary of alcoholic anonymous chapter. Overview preface preface chapter 1 bills story chapter 2 there is a solution chapter 3 more about alcoholism chapter 4 we agnostics chapter 5 how it works chapter 6 into action chapter 7 working with others chapter 8 to wives chapter 9 the family afterward chapter 10 to employers chapter 11 a vision for you. Big book of alcoholics anonymous, the chapter there is a solution. This study guide consists of approximately 53 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of so big. Our activities in behalf of women who drink are on the increase. One chapter is devoted to agnostics, while another is named to wives most of the first aa. Basic text of alcoholics anonymous from frontispiece through end of chapter 11 on page 164. Read the book alcoholics anonymous from the frontispiece through the. Our very lives, as exproblem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought. For the book the help, what is a oneparagraph summary of chapter 27. Private detective philip marlowe pays a visit to millionaire general sternwood.
For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Chapter 8 to wives w ith few exceptions, our book thus far has spoken of men. Experience the big book is a guided, detailed study of the aa big book and 12 steps, by dr. Zip file 534 k self extracting word document 584 k download ms word document 1.
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