2017 marks the 78th anniversary of the writing of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, fondly nicknamed “The Big Book”. Following are some interesting facts about the book and the people who contributed and supported the editing and review of the book in 1938.
May 20, 1938 – This was the 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 signed “Alcoholics Anonymous”. Titles such as “The Way Out, Haven, One Hundred Men, Comes the Dawn, “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 the 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 Doctors 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 text of the book and personal stories were completed. 400 multilith (duplicated on a small press) copies of the book were distributed for evaluation. Each of these copies was stamped “Loan Copy” to protect the copyright. Jim B., who later founded AA in Philadelphia, suggested the phrases “God as we understand him “and “Power greater than we” be added to the steps and basic text. Bill W. later wrote, “Those expressions as we so well know today, have 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 38 million copies have been sold in the 78 year history of the writing of the book. We should also recognize the alcoholics it helped, 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: that I can recover; I can rise above the illness of alcoholism; and of course, so can anyone who suffers if he or she is willing to follow the path discovered by our founders.
~ Vic L. Decisions Group. Winter Springs, Florida