(Alcoholics Anonymous)

Original annotated multilith copy, a working draft of Alcoholics Anonymous, with a multitude of annotations by William Griffith Wilson ("Bill W.") and others, 161 pages (3 are handwritten in pencil by several hands),  New York, 1938, with presentation leaf by Lois Wilson: "I joyfully give this multilith copy of the AA book, one of my most precious possessions, to you, dear Barry, as evidence of my deep gratitude for all you have done for AA, for Al-Anon, & particularly for me ... 1/1/78"; annotations in lead, green, and red pencil, lightly browned.  Each leaf encased in mylar and bound in a blue cloth binder, morocco lettering-piece ("Printer's Copy M[anu]s[cript])"; joints and corrners rubbed. 

Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, A Brief History. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1971; Cheever, Susan.  My Name Is Bill. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004; Thomsen, Robert.  Bill W.  Center City, Minnesota: Hazelden Oittman Archives Press, 1975

"We, of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.  To show other alcoholics PRECISELY HOW WE HAVE RECOVERED is the main purpose of this book."  Co-founder William Griffith Wilson, more commonly known as Bill W., annotates the typescript manuscript of what would become the foundation for the Alcoholics Anonymous book. 

In the summer of 1934, Bill W. was diagnosed as an incurable alcoholic by Dr. William D. Silkworth.  In August of that same year, Ebbie T., a close friend of Bill W.'s, got sober with the help of the Oxford Group.  The Oxford Group, founded in England and led by Pennsylvanian Dr. Frank Buchman, was an association of people who believed that moral compromise was destructive of human character and relationships, and that moral strength was necessary for a just society.  Members of the Group attempted to become the best people they could through the process of being absolutely honest, absolutely pure, absolutely unselfish, and absolutely loving.  They placed "heavy emphasis on personal work, one member with another ... They also practiced a type of confession, which they called 'sharing'; the making of amends for harms done they called 'restitution.'  They believed deeply in their 'quiet time,' a meditation practiced by groups and individuals alike, in which the guidance of God was sought for every detail of living, great or small" (Bill W., A Fragment of History).  The Oxford Group also rigorously believed in religious tolerance and did not require associates to worship God in any prescribed manner.  Ebbie discussed his new-found beliefs with Bill W., telling him that he no longer struggled with the desire to drink, that after he admitted his life was unmanageable while drinking, after he had become honest with himself and another person, and after he prayed to God for guidance, he was released from the obsession to drink.  

Approximately two months later, Bill W. entered the Charles B. Towns Hospital, where he again encountered Dr. Silkworth.  Dr. Silkworth was a very forward-thinking physician who believed that alcoholism was an illness, "an obsession of the mind coupled with an allergy of the body" (Bill W., A Fragment of History).  Bill W.'s acceptance of  Dr. Silkworth's theory of alcoholism as a physical illness, instead of a moral failing, coupled with his faith in Ebbie's spiritual principles, enabled him to sober up and to join the Oxford Group himself.  Bill W. insisted on devoting his time exclusively to active alcoholics;  this exclusivity separated him from the Group who wanted him to help everyone become a better person.  But, after six months of committing himself to helping only alcoholics, he still had not succeeded with even one person.  Dr. Silkworth suggested that Bill W. change his approach, that he focus on the medical problems alcoholics face while active and then discuss the spiritual principles that are necessary to follow in order for an alcoholic to remain sober.  Furthermore, Dr. Silkworth believed Bill W. would get through to alcoholics where he had failed simply because Bill W. was also an alcoholic.

In May 1935, Bill W. was in Akron, Ohio, on a business trip that proved unsuccessful.  Terribly dejected and wanting a drink, it suddenly occurred to Bill W. that he needed to be with another alcoholic in order to remain sober.  After many telephone calls, he found Dr. Robert Smith, an active alcoholic whose family persuaded him to meet with Bill W. for 15 minutes.  This first meeting between the co-founders of AA lasted many hours.  One month later, on 10 June 1935, Dr. Bob had his last drink; that day was the official birth date of Alcoholics Anonymous, a foundation based on the revolutionary idea that only an alcoholic can help another alcoholic stay sober.  Two years later, AA separated completely from the Oxford Group and, after meeting with John D. Rockefeller and showing him the successful results of their program in February 1938, Rockefeller donated $5,000 to the fellowship. This money was the underpinning of The Alcoholic Foundation, giving AA a trusteeship. Once this was established, Bill W., Dr. Bob, and the other members began writing Alcoholics Anonymous.

The present manuscript begins with a foreword discussing the fellowship, and how it was "important that [they] remain anonymous ... [and they] ask [that] the press also, to observe this request, for otherwise [they would] be greatly handicapped."  Page 1. is entitled The Doctor's Opinion, which includes a letter from a doctor endorsing AA and its practices, as well as his belief "that the body of the alcoholic is quite as abnormal as his mind.  It does not satisfy [alcoholics] to be told that [they] cannot control [their] drinking just because [they] were maladjusted to life ... These things were true to some extent, in fact, to a considerable extent with some of [them].  But [they] are sure that [their] bodies were sickened as well ..." 

Chapter One, Bill's Story, is Bill W. experience with active drinking and his recovery.  "Liquor ceased to be a luxury; it became a necessity.  'Bathtub' gin, two bottles a day, and often three, got to be routine ... This went on endlessly, and I began to waken very early in the morning shaking violently.  A tumbler full of gin followed by half a dozen bottles of beer would be required if I were to eat any breakfast.  Nevertheless, I still thought I could control the situation, and there were periods of sobriety which renewed my wife's hope.  Gradually things got worse ... The curve of my declining moral and bodily health fell off like a ski-jump.  After a time I returned to the hospital ... [I] was informed that it would all end with heart failure during delirium tremens, or I would develop a wet brain, perhaps within a year ...  At the hospital [months later] I was separated from alcohol for the last time.  Treatment seemed wise, for I showed signs of delirium tremens.  I have not had a drink since.  There I humbly offered myself to God, as I then understood Him, to do with me as He would.  I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction.  I admitted for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost.  I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new found Friend take them away, root and branch ... While I lay in the hospital the thought came that there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might be glad to have what had been so freely given to me.  Perhaps I could help some of them.  They in turn might work with others ... We commenced to make many fast friends and a fellowship has grown up among us of which it is a wonderful thing to feel a part.  The joy of living we really have, even under pressure and difficulty ... We meet frequently at our different homes, so that newcomers may find the fellowship they seek ... Most of us feel we need to look no further for Utopia, nor even Heaven.  We have it right with us here and now ..."

The remaining chapters, There is a Solution, More About Alcoholism, We Agnostics, How it Works, Into Action, Working with Others, To Wives, The Family Afterward, To Employers,  and A Vision for You, discuss the theory of alcoholism as a fatal physical disease combined with mental obsession, the combating of that disease through complete abstinence and the practice of certain spiritual principles, the finding of a personal Higher Power that is greater than oneself, how the 12 steps are worked and applied to daily life, how performing service with or for other recovering alcoholics helps keep one sober, and suggestions for how a newly sober recovering alcoholic can return to his family, friends, job, etc., and be productive while remaining sober.   The final 79 pages are devoted to "Personal Stories," actual experiences of alcoholics who found recovery by practicing the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.

There were  numerous typescripts produced and sent to any who inquired, with this solicitation:  "We shall be interested to hear from those who are getting results from this book, particularly from those who have commenced work with other alcoholics.  We should like to be helpful to such cases.  Inquiry by scientific, medical, and religious societies will be welcomed."   This multilith copy was then kept by AA as the master which incorporated ideas suggested by outsiders.  Eleven months after the first writing had begun, Alcoholics Anonymous was published in April 1939.  Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote this in his review: "... This book represents the pooled experience of one hundred men and women who have been the victims of alcoholism—many of them declared hopeless by the experts and who have won their freedom and recovered their sanity and self-control ... The book is not in the least sensational.  It is notable for its sanity, restraint, and freedom from overemphasis and fanatacism.  It is a sober, careful, tolerant, sympathetic treatment of the alcoholic's problem and of the successful techniques by which its co-authors have won their freedom ... Altogether the book had the accent of reality and is written with unusual intelligence and skill, humor and modesty mitigating what could easily have been a strident and harrowing tale" (Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, pp. 322-23).

AA is now an international organization that has helped millions of alcoholics cope with their problem.  The 12-step program has been adopted by other organizations to combat a myriad of disorders, including narcotics addiction, over-eating, gambling, and sex addiction.   Alcoholics Anonymous is now in its fourth edition.

 

[With:] 

Alcoholics Anonymous.  This is the Second Edition of the Big Book, New and Revised.  The Basic Text for Alcoholics Anonymous.  New York: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., 1955

4to (8 x 5 1/2  in.; 203 x 140 mm).  Publisher's blue cloth, spine stamped in bronze; slight wear to head and foor of spine, and to corners.  Original printed dust jacket; loss to spine, a few marginal tears, joints showing wear.

Second edition, inscribed and signed by co-founder Bill W.:  "To Grace - In gratitude for your demonstration and in all affection Ever Bill 3/28/58." 

[Also with:] Four LP albums of Alcoholic Anonymous lectures