Big Book Podcast

Dr. William D. Silkworth was referred to as “our great medical benefactor” by the founders of A.A. His initial letter of endorsement and follow-up statement of support became a permanent part of the Big Book starting with the First Edition. Dr. Silkworth expressed "a sense of real satisfaction when I was asked to contribute a few words on a subject which is covered in such masterly detail in these...

Episode 35 begins the cover-to-cover reading of the 2nd edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, originally published in 1955. It’s comprised of a preface, 2 forwards, the Doctor’s Opinion, 11 chapters in the main text, 37 Personal Stories, and 6 appendices at the end of the book. In an effort to present a flawless audio version of the 2nd edition, these episodes will reflect all of the changes that were...

The final two stories from the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939. The 28th and 29th stories were printed only in first edition of the Big Book and are entitled “The Rolling Stone and “Lone Endeavor”. Of particular interest, “Lone Endeavor” contains a letter from Alcoholics Anonymous received by the author of the story. In it, the early AA found...

The 25th, 26th, & 27th stories from the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939. These stories were printed only in first edition of the Big Book. Of special note, “An Alcoholic’s Wife” is the only story in the first edition written by the non-alcoholic spouse of a man who got sober through the help of AA. This story, along with the chapters “To Wive...

The 23rd and 24th stories appeared only in the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939. These lost gems, entitled “The Car Smasher” and “Hindsight”, highlight the cunning, baffling, and powerful aspects of alcoholism that linger even during periods of sobriety. And the slips they can cause when complacency, overconfidence, or self-will take the place...

From the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939, these three stories, which appeared only in the first edition of the Big Book, reveal the universal experience of alcoholics marked by the inability to control their drinking. And the descent into a hopeless state of mind, body, and spirit from which they got sober, thanks to the experience, strength,...

The 19th story from the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939. This story, which appeared only in the first edition of the Big Book, provides a glimpse of life in the early 20th century when world war, prohibition, and the great depression affected the lives of those alcoholics who had yet to be relieved of their disease by the efforts of Bill W. a...

A double story episode: The 17th and 18th stories from the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939. The 17th entitled “The Fearful One” and the 18th “Truth Freed Me”. These two short stories appeared only in the first edition of the Big Book, so this may be the first time you hear them. Both stories paint an extraordinary picture of AA in the first f...

Here is the 16 story in the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939. Entitled “Fired Again”, it was printed only in the first edition of the Big Book. It’s another one of those stories you may be hearing for the first time. In it, Dr. Bob and some of the original members of early AA are directly involved in helping another man get sober. Howard L, so...

The 15th story from the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939. Entitled “The Salesman”, it was printed only in the first edition of the Big Book. It’s one of those stories that listeners may be hearing for the first time that prominently feature AA co-founder Dr. Bob S. and other early members of AA personally helping another alcoholic achieve sobr...

The 14th story from the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous is entitled “Riding the Rods.” Because it was printed only in the first edition of the Big Book in 1939, it's a "new" story to those who've never seen it. This captivating tale offers a a glimpse of life in the early 20th century in the years before AA and one man’s struggle to escape the awful depths of...

Available only in the First Edition of the Big Book, this relatively short story provides a glimpse of the formative years of AA when old-timers were those with 2 or 3 years sober, but whose perseverance and dedication made possible a solid foundation for the entire AA movement. He wrote, "They were all strangers to me, but treated me as a friend. I was impressed with their interest and fellowship...

The 12th story, printed only in the First Edition, gives a rare glimpse of how newly sober alcoholics perceived the spiritual aspects of AA demonstrated by early pioneers of the Program. The author of this story was initially visited by AA co-founder Dr. Bob S. and wrote, "My friend was the human agency employed by an all-wise Father to bring me into a pathway of life." Howard L, sober since 1988,...

This cautionary tale, printed only in the First Edition, describes how easily a year of sobriety can be dashed to pieces. "After a year of learning new ways of living, new attitudes and desires, I became self-confident and then careless. I suppose you would say I got to feeling too sure of myself and Zowie! First it was a beer on Saturday nights and then it was a fine drunk. I knew exactly what I...

The tenth story from the Personal Stories section of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1939 was printed only in the first edition. It's a fascinating story that reflects the time during the Prohibition when home brewing of beer was a common and sometimes necessary past-time. Howard L, sober since 1988, presents an inspired reading of this story and encourages listeners to revi...

Printed only in the First Edition, this story conveys a powerful message about slipping, or back-sliding, that will touch every generation of AA members. After 2 years sober, he started neglecting meetings, fellowship, and daily prayer. "Nothing happened...then came the thought that I could stand on my own feet now...that God might have been all very well for the early days or months of my sobriet...

Two stories are presented in this episode: A Different Slant and Traveler, Editor, Scholar. These appeared as the 7th and 8th stories in the Personal Stories section of the First Edition of "Alcoholics Anonymous" in 1939. Neither story made it to the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th editions of the Big Book. Of particular note, A Different Slant is the shortest story in any of the four editions of the Big Book at...

This story was published only in the First Edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous” in 1939. As the 6th story in the Personal Stories section, it never made it to the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th editions of the Big Book. In that way, it will be heard as a "new" story by those who have not seen the First Edition,  Howard L, sober since 1988, presents an inspired reading of this story making it come alive with new re...

This story appears in all four editions of "Alcoholics Anonymous", but the original version of Our Southern Friend printed in 1939 was considerably longer than subsequent editions. It contains at least 15 additional paragraphs and other verbiage that were edited out of the second edition. This includes three paragraphs that begin the story and three that end it, as well as other changes within. If...

A Feminine Victory is another story most people have never seen. It was published only in the First Edition of "Alcoholics Anonymous" in 1939. It was the fourth story in the Personal Stories section and the first story written by a woman to appear in the Big Book. Because it wasn't included in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th editions of the Big Book, A Feminine Victory is a "new" story for many. Howard L, so...

The European Drinker was published in the First, Second, and Third Editions of "Alcoholics Anonymous" but does not appear in the Fourth Edition. It was the third story in the Personal Stories section of the First Edition of the Big Book printed in 1939. Because it wasn't included in the 4th edition of the Big Book, The European Drinker may be a "new" story for anyone raised on the Fourth Edition,...

Published only in the First Edition of the Big Book The Unbeliever is a story you have likely not seen before. It was published only in the First Edition of "Alcoholics Anonymous" in 1939. It was the second story in the Personal Stories section following The Doctor's Nightmare (also known as Dr. Bob's Nightmare). Because it wasn't included in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th editions of the Big Book, The Unbe...

Orignally Titled "The Doctor's Nightmare" in First Edition The Big Book comes alive with Howard L's inspired reading of the first story in the Personal Stories section of the Big Book, DOCTOR BOB'S NIGHTMARE. Originally titled "The Doctor's Nightmare" in the First Edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous” published in 1939, the title was changed to its now familiar title published in the second and subseq...

The Big Book comes alive with Howard L’s inspired reading of Chapter Eleven, A VISION FOR YOU, the last chapter in the main section of the first edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous”, originally published in 1939**. Sober since 1988, one-day-at-a-time, Howard’s smooth, yet heart-felt, delivery makes listening easy and enjoyable! Listen at our website and read-along with the transcription of each chapt...

The Big Book comes alive with Howard L's inspired reading of Chapter Ten, TO EMPLOYERS, from the first edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous”, originally published in 1939**. Sober since 1988, one-day-at-a-time, Howard's smooth, yet heart-felt, delivery makes listening easy and enjoyable! Listen at our website and read-along with the transcription of each chapter. Or download and subscribe to this podc...