AA Study Literature

The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from the disease of alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous is our basic text and is nicknamed "The Big Book" by AA members.  First published in 1939 and currently in its fourth edition, it has sold over 25 million copies.  The Big Book contains some history of AA's beginnings, information from the medical community concerning the disease of alcoholism and a number of personal stories by members past and present.  Available in hardcover and soft cover, in both full text and a smaller abridged version, the Big Book is published in many countries and many languages, and is also available online in English, Español & Français at www.aa.org/bigbookonline.  The Big Book is available for purchase at almost any AA meeting or Alano club, at various online sources, as well as at AA Central and Intergroup offices.  Many AA groups or meetings will give a Big Book to a newcomer in need, at no charge.

Twelve Steps And Twelve Traditions.  A co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous tells how members recover and how their society works.  This book deals with the "Twelve Steps" and the "Twelve Traditions" of Alcoholics Anonymous. It present an explicit view of the principles by which A.A. members recover and by which their Society functions.

Living Sober.  This booklet does not offer a plan for recovery from alcoholism. The Alcoholics Anonymous Steps that summarize its program of recovery are set forth in detail in the books "Alcoholics Anonymous" and "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions". Those Steps are not interpreted here, nor are the processes they cover discussed in this booklet.  Here, we tell only some methods we have used for living without drinking. You are welcome to all of them, whether you are interested in Alcoholics Anonymous or not. (excerpt from page 1)

Came To Believe... is designed as an outlet for the rich diversity of convictions implied in "God as we understood Him."  Most of the material was written expressly for the booklet, in response to an appeal issue by the General Service Office.  The places of origin shown for each story or brief comment indicate how widespread this response was. (excerpt from foreword)

Twelve Concepts for World Service. Principles of service that have emerged from the service accomplishments and mistakes of Alcoholics Anonymous, since its beginning are set forth by one of its co-founders, Bill W.

Books on the history of
Alcoholics Anonymous

The Language of the Heart.  In 1935, two drunks met and talked in the library of a home in Akron, Ohio, and from that single event was to grow a program of recovery for more than two million once-hopeless alcoholics. How did the seed that became Alcoholics Anonymous take root and develop? The articles in this book tell much of that story.

Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers - The life story of the Fellowship’s co-founder, interwoven with recollections of early A.A. in the Midwest.

A.A. Comes of Age - Bill W. tells how A.A. started, how the Steps and Traditions evolved, and how the A.A. Fellowship grew and spread overseas.




Pass It On - The Story of Bill W. and How the A.A. Message Reached the World.

 

Meditation & Daily Readings

 

Daily Reflections. This volume had its beginning in an Advisory Action of the 1987 General Service Conference, and fulfills a long-felt need in the Fellowship for a collection of reflections that moves through the calendar year -- one day at a time. (excerpt from foreword)

 

As Bill Sees It.  Selected writings from the cofounder of A.A. touch nearly every aspect of A.A.'s way of life. An aid to individual meditation and a stimulant to group discussion, this book contains 332 short writings with topics indexed for quick access.

 

The Little Red Book has helped countless newcomers to Alcoholics Anonymous adjust to the sober lifestyle that the program promotes. Drawing on the practical experiences of alcoholics who have found peace of mind and contented sobriety by following the tenets of Alcoholics Anonymous, it has helped members with everything from finding topics for discussion meetings to developing a twenty-four-hour schedule of AA living.