The Mitchell K. Library
Early History of Alcoholic Anonymous.
Silkworth.net
has neither been approved or endorsed by and is not
affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services,
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________________________
The
following pages are written, primarily copyrighted by,
nationally recognized AA historian and oft-quoted Alcoholics
Anonymous archivist, Mitchell K. It was Mitchell K's
AA
history website, that inspired me to learn
as much of AA's history as I can, and to share it with
you here.
Articles
by Mitchell K.
Why
Study A.A. History?
A look at the roots of the granddaddy of 12-step programs
and why it is important to remember them.
In
the Beginning...
The study of the history of Alcoholics Anonymous begins
way before its actual founding.
A
Glimmer of Hope
A historic meeting between Bill W. and Dr. Bob plants
the seeds for Alcoholics Anonymous.
Correcting
Errors
Why some facts in this series of articles do not match
the "official" conference-approved version.
Dr.
Bob's Last Drink
Dr. Bob sponsored more than 5,000 AA members and left
the legacy of his life as an example.
Early
Efforts
Bill W. and Dr. Bob began their quest to carry the message
to other "hopeless" alcoholics.
Roots
of the Big Book
Most of the ideas and wording in the A.A. book came
from other writers.
Writing
the Big Book
There are hundreds of quotes from these early books
which can be found, almost verbatim in the Big Book.
Financing
the Big Book
Bill W. turned to the Rockefellers for help to publish
the A.A. book.
Self-Supporting
The idea of Alcoholics Anonymous becoming a self-supporting
organization came from a surprising source.
Central
Bulletin
It was A.A.'s first newsletter and according to many
A.A. Historians, contained some of the best early writing
relating to recovery from alcoholism.
"Our
Father…"
This 1944 Alcoholics Anonymous editorial gives an indication
of how important the founders considered The Lord's
Prayer to recovery.
The
Saddest Day In A.A. History?
A fight over the printing and distribution of literature
in Germany has caused controversy within the fellowship.
A.A.
Lawsuit Update
The court date for the German lawsuit over Alcoholics
Anonymous literature has been delayed.
The
Big Book Goes to Press
After long and heated "discussions" the Alcoholics
Anonymous book was finally ready to be published in
1939.
Open
Letter to A.A. Members
As the 1998 General Service Conference rapidly approaches
we take this opportunity to make an urgent plea for
assistance.
The
Big Book is Published
The publication of the Big Book did not bring the initial
response that was expected by its authors.
Influx
of New Members
A 1941 article in a national magazine was expected to
attract many new members into Alcoholics Anonymous.
Saturday
Evening Post Article
Membership in A.A. skyrocketed after publication of
the Saturday Evening Post, March 1, 1941.
Growth
of Central Offices
As the Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship began to grow
in the 1940's, the first central offices were created.
The
German Court Case
Despite what you may have read or heard about Alcoholics
Anonymous, Inc. (AAWS) being involved in litigation
matters, it is true.
German
Court Orders A.A. Books Destroyed
There is good news, and there is bad news from three
cases involving Alcoholics Anonymous in Germany, from
a witness in the case.
Big
Book Site Shut Down
A.A. attorney's threats force AOL in Germany to shut
down the Big Book Study Group's web site and email address.
Web
pages & other works by Mitchell K.
The following web pages
by Mitchell K. have been re-created with Mitchell's
permission in order to preserve them so you can still
enjoy viewing & exploring his pages that you may
learn more of Alcoholics Anonymous history.
• Mitchell
K's Favorite Alcoholics Anonymous History Links and
Other A.A. Resources
• Alcoholics
Anonymous: A photographic journey through its history...
• "Freely
have ye received, freely give..."
• Dr.
Bob's prescription for a miracle...
• How
It Worked "The Story of Clarence H.
Snyder and The Early Days of Alcoholics Anonymous in
Cleveland, Ohio" -A great book written by Mitchell
K.
• Reviews
of Mitchell's book, "How It Worked"
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