A.A. Books

Living Sober

This practical booklet demonstrates through simple examples how A.A. members throughout the world live and stay away from that “first drink” one day at a time.  Covers topics such as attending events where alcohol is served, relationships in sobriety and much more.

General Service Conference-approved.

As Bill Sees It

A source of comfort and inspiration, this collection of Bill W.’s writings addresses themes such as acceptance, gratitude and spirituality.  Excerpted from the Big Book, the “Twelve and Twelve”, Grapevine and other A.A. literature.  With a topical index to help guide reading and discussion.

General Service Conference-approved.

Daily Reflections

A collection of readings that moves through the calendar year one day at a time: A.A. members reflect on favorite quotations from the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous.  The volume focuses on all Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service.

General Service Conference-approved.

Came to Believe

Over 75 A.A. members from around the world share about what the terms “spiritual awakening”, “Higher Power” and “God as we understood Him” mean to them.  Offers a range of perspectives on what spirituality can look like in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous

General Service Conference-approved.

Bill W. tells the story of how the A.A. Fellowship grew, from its beginnings in New York and Akron to its spread across the country and overseas.  Through the lens of the Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service, Bill explains how the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts for World Service evolved.  Closing chapters share the perspectives of early “friends of A.A.,” including Dr. Silkworth and Father Ed Dowling. With 16 pages of archival photographs.

General Service Conference-approved.

Filled with interviews with friends and family, this deeply researched biography follows A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob S. from his New England childhood to his days as a surgeon and father who couldn’t stop drinking; to his transformative meeting with Bill W. and the birth of A.A. in Akron; and finally to his untimely death in 1950.  The early history of Alcoholics Anonymous in the Midwest is chronicles along the way. With 26 archival photographs.

General Service Conference-approved.

Full of first-person accounts and primary source material, this portrait of Bill W. recounts his journey from Vermont youth to Wall Street success story to hopeless drunk – until a series of remarkable events allowed him to stop drinking and to co-found Alcoholics Anonymous. We follow Bill through his tireless work for the Fellowship: the publishing of the Big Book, the development of the Twelve Traditions, the formation of the General Service Conference.  Closing chapters walk us through Bill’s final years of challenge and change.  With 39 archival photographs.

General Service Conference-approved.

The Bottle Book:  Alcoholics Anonymous comes to the BC/Yukon Area

Published in 1983, by the Area 79, Panel 33 Archives Committee.

Excerpt from the “Preface”: -two salesmen, an optometrist and a soldier – filled with the fire of gratitude for sobriety who visualized the AA fellowship throughout British Columbia and the Canadian west.  It was their energy, dedication and enthusiasm that spread the AA message throughout western Canada.

A selection of Bill W.’s General Service Conference talks from 1951 to 1970.  Timeless and timely, these 16 talks give fresh perspectives on the A.A. Fellowship in our co-founder’s own words.  Chapters also cover the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous and include talks given by early “friends of A.A.”  With over 60 color and black-and-white images.

Experience, Strength & Hope

This anthology contains 56 stories retired from the first three editions of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.  The membership of Alcoholics Anonymous continues to grow and change, but these stories from the past will never be outdated. The essential A.A. story – “what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now” – is a constant.  The timeless formula for A.A. talks ring just as true in these stories from our history as it does today in the meeting around the corner.

General Service Conference-approved.

Published in 2005, by the Area 79, Panel 55 Archives Committee.

Excerpt from the “Editor’s Note”:  There is no way that this is a comprehensive list of the women in our Area who qualify for this project.  It is only a small sample.