The Book That Started It All: The Original Working Manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous

Wonderful detailed book if you'r interested in the early days of AA and the development of the Big Book. Really brings home the uniquesness of the program that has changed by now probably millions of people's lives around the world. Thrilling to see the hand typed pages with the handwritten corrections and the reasoning behind those changes. The book is beautifully produced.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the development of AA and the writing of "The Big Book". It gives a wonderful insight into the thoughts of Bill W. as he put this life-saving program together. Anyone interested in the history of AA will absolutely love this book!

I don't know whether I would have purchased this book for $65 sight unseen--I bought it at Amazon at a substantial discount.Nevertheless, having obtained the finished product, it is well worth the $65 for which it is being sold by Hazelden (pre-orders for the next shipment are discounted there until around the end of November).The book is VERY high quality, with color plates for each and every page of the manuscript, at actual size. This is a very large, and very heavy book. AA history buffs will absolutely LOVE it. The commentaries help to put the edits in context, and whether you agree or disagree with some of the editorial decisions made, these are what shaped the book that became the foundation of the Fellowship.I don't doubt that there will be more books to come, each with their own gloss on what is reproduced here. GREAT holiday gift for anyone in AA who loves the Big Book.

Thank you to Ken R., the guy who went through a ton of money and hassle to get this priceless look at AA in the making out to the public. Fascinating reading and a close-up look at AA history.

This is an incredibly interesting, gripping, book! This "Working Manuscript" of the book Alcoholics Anonymous is of primary interest to those with an interest in alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous, and 12-steppery in general. But it's also interesting from the perspective of the evolution of a book manuscript. The typed copy of the manuscript is all marked up with suggestions, some taken, some not that are very interesting.Bill Wilson, the primary writer of the book, together with the other contributors, sent out 400 or so copies of the manuscript to psychiatrists, doctors, ministers, and so on, to get their opinions and suggestions and reactions to the book. When they sent their copies back, with commentary, suggestions and comments thought to be of importance were then copied into a "master copy", this book. Some suggestions were taken, some not, but every suggestion for changes written in here was considered important enough to at least talk over with the group by Bill Wilson, or one of the other contributors.What's interesting to me are some of the small changes that probably didn't mean a lot. True, some of the changes were significant, and a stroke of genius, like the switch from prescriptive language (YOU MUST!!) to descriptive language (this is what we did that has worked for us). Some of the changes not taken are interesting as well. But there are some changes that are small and don't mean much. For example, the wording "we are ordinary Americans" was changed to "we are average Americans" and a comment in the margins says: Do people like being called ordinary? I don't think anybody would notice this line either way. But it reminds me, that this was a group of drunks who wanted to be taken seriously. They had only been sober for, at the most, 4 years. They were insecure and wanted things to be perfect. Even taking the time to change any little word that could possibly harm their credibility. That's very touching and telling to me. I don't know, maybe I'm imagining things but these drunks wanted to help people and be taken seriously that they even worried about saying the book would "instruct". A note in the margins said, "Do people like to be instructed". Very interesting stuff like that!!If you're interested in Alcoholics Anonymous, the book or the fellowship, or alcoholism, or 12 step programs, this book is definitely worth the price. It's fascinating and, a very well put together, attractive book for the shelf or the coffee table. I don't think you'll regret the purchase at all!!

I was not sure what to expect but this surpassed my expectations! It’s zmazing that this historical document has been preserved in a format that can be enjoyed.

This is an excellent book. I have friends that have it and I have read it before. I just never brought it up until now. It came in very good condition and very fast

Most others have said what a great book this is. It is. If it matters to you, this is coffee table size! Almost 14x12.I am great with that, just didn't expect it.Really beautiful book.

Bought this for a very good friend of mine. Never had a chance to read it but its a serious looking book. A great idea for an anniversary gift for those in 12 step recovery.

It is exactly what I expected. If you are interested in (& grateful) to AA it makes for fascinating reading. A book to be read in bite size chunks, rather than all at once. One to cherish.

A perfect present bought for someone in AA. Explains how the big book was written. Very pleased with it

Such a great book to have, if like me, you are interested in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Well presented, lovely to use and a great book for my library shelf

Brilliant insight into the of the writing of the Big Book