&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Big_book_2nd_edition.jpg) 2nd edition cover, 1955 | |
| Author | Bill W. |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous |
| Publisher | Alcoholics Anonymous World Services |
Publication date | April 10, 1939 (1st ed.) 1955 (2nd ed.) 1976 (3rd ed.) 2001 (4th ed.) |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardback, paperback and online) |
| ISBN | 1-893007-16-2 |
| OCLC | 408888189 |
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism (nicknamed The Big Book because of the thickness of the paper used in the first edition) is a 1939 basic text, describing how to seek recovery from alcoholism. The Big Book was written by William G. "Bill W." Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA or A.A.), with the help of various editors. The composition process was not collaborative other than editing. Bill wrote all of the chapters except for "To Employers" which was written by Bill's right-hand man, Hank Parkhurst. Parkhurst influenced the more liberal notions of "God as we understand him" and "your own conception of God." Drafts of sections were sent back and forth between Bill W.'s group in New York and Robert Holbrook Smith (Dr. Bob), the other AA founder, in Akron, Ohio. Dr. Bob made no major changes. It is the predecessor of the seminal "twelve-step method" widely used to treat many addictions, from alcoholism, heroin addiction and marijuana addiction to overeating, sex addiction and gambling addiction, with a strong spiritual and social emphasis. It is one of the best-selling books of all time, having sold 30 million copies.[1][2] In 2011, Time magazine placed the book on its list of the 100 best and most influential books written in English since 1923, the year in which the magazine was first published.[3] In 2012, the Library of Congress designated it as one of 88 "Books that Shaped America."[4]
- ^ Akron Beacon Journal Archived 2009-08-13 at the Wayback Machine on The Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book: While the title of the book is actually Alcoholics Anonymous, the members of AA refer to it as the Big Book. This is the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous, AA's text on how to stay sober. "And this year is also the 70th anniversary of the publication of A.A.'s Big Book, which has sold nearly 30 million copies since 1939." (11 June 2009)
- ^ Twelve Step Programs Worldwide about "Alcoholics Anonymous", the book affectionately known as "The Big Book". The 25 millionth copy of the Big Book was published in 2005, and about 1 million copies are sold each year. This means that as at 2010 there have been about 30 million copies sold, ranking it high on the list of best-selling books ever. More impressive still, it has sold this many copies even though it is available free online in English, Spanish and French—links provided."
- ^ "Self-Help / Instructional: The Big Book by Alcoholics Anonymous". TIME. August 30, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011.
- ^ "Books That Shaped America". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2024.