History’s Corner November 2016 Vic L., Decisions Group, Winter Springs FL

More about the Writing of the Big Book 2016 marks the 77th anniversary of the writing of the book Alcoholics Anonymous fondly nicknamed “the Big Book”. Following are some interesting facts and people who contributed and supported the editing and review of the book in 1938. May 20, 1938 – Beginning of the writing of the book at Hank P.’s office (Honors Dealers) at 17 William Street in Newark, New Jersey. Bill W. would write, edit and rewrite manuscripts at home on legal pads then dictate chapters to Ruth Hock (nicknamed the duchess), Bill W’s first secretary. Most of the early handwritten notes were lost during a later move from Newark to New York City. At the time there was little or no consideration of what would become the historical significance of these handwritten manuscripts. June, 1938 – Bill W. wrote to Dr. Bob S. “By the way you might all be thinking up a good title.” Nearly everyone agreed by then that the title should be “Alcoholics Anonymous”. Titles such as The Way Out, Haven, One Hundred Men, Comes the Dawn, and Bill W. movement had been suggested but eliminated for a variety of reasons. June 15, 1938 – Lois W.’s recollection of the first use of the term “Alcoholics Anonymous” July, 1938 – Dr. Esther Richards of John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore wrote that the title being used was “Alcoholics Anonymous” and suggested that Bill. W. get a number one physician in the alcoholism field to write an introduction. (This of course became “The Doctor’s Opinion”.) December, 1938 – The Twelve Steps were written at 182 Clinton Street in less than 30 minutes. Much argument (sometimes heated) ensued over the wording. January, 1939 – The draft of the book text and the personal stories were completed. 400 multilith copies of the book were distributed for evaluation. Each of these copies were stamped “Loan Copy” to protect the copyright. Jim B., who later founded AA in Philadelphia, suggested the phrases “God as we understand him “and “a Power greater than ourselves” be added to the steps and basic text. Bill W. later wrote” Those expressions, as we so well know today, have been proven lifesavers for many an alcoholic.” April, 1939 – The book “Alcoholics Anonymous” is published. Since 1939 there have been four editions printed in more than 30 languages, and 35 million copies have been sold in the 75 year history of the writing of the book. We should also recognize the alcoholics it helped and the families, children and communities who were uplifted because of its publication. Truly, God’s grace and blessings abound in the ultimate message of the book: I can recover; I can rise above the illness of alcoholism; so can anyone who suffers if he is willing to follow the path discovered by our founders.