Alcoholics Anonymous by Alcoholics Anonymous (1986, Paperback)

I was so excited to have won the auction on the Big Book that I received. This is a Third Edition of the Big Book, and one of things I wanted is that the Book includes the recovery circle which they have stopped printing in the books. I was so lucky to get it. I am very pleased! As always.

Excellent softcover, travels well. Does not announce what you are reading when in public - only recogizable by fellow AAs and others in 12 step programs. This is a guideline and foundation for recovery from the demons of alcoholism and a blueprint for making a change in lifestyle.

The good news is that this is a thin edition of the "Big Book" so easier to carry around on a trip, etc. The bad news is only a certain amount of material - the original stories so not necessarily good for a Big Book Meeting. Be sure you check out the ISBN 9562912655 which will be this edition by BN publishing done in 2006 and taken from the original 1939 AA Services. Your larger softcover will have a different number and the hardcover is 978-1-893007-16-1

It explains in basic terms what an alcoholic is and how to tell if you are one, describes alcoholism as a disease (revolutionary for 1939!), discusses the impact of the disease on friends, family members, business associates, etc. and outlines how a person can arrest his or her alcoholism. Personal stories in the back were written by recovering alcoholics and the stories relate their experiences during their active alcoholism and after entering recovery. While many of the stories were written long ago, the themes are still surprisingly current. Alcoholics Anonymous is a great resource for alcoholics, their friends and families (who may not understand their loved-one's crazy behavior), medical personnel, mental health workers and anyone interested in alcoholism and a way to recover from it. This particular book was purchased for a prison library as most of the people incarcerated today have alcohol or drug problems that create or contribute to their criminal behavior.

I like the ability to carry a soft covered copy of "The Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous because it is convenient and light. I love to study the book and, in this one, carry a marker to underline significant lines to accent what is meaningful on a specific day. This particular book was one that had no previous underlines in it, making it usable for my own highlights. Even being a copy of the third addition it has the same first 164 pages of all three other printings, which are very helpful in learning and practicing recovery principles.

Great book at a great price. This book has been saving lives since 1939 and it saved mine. Anyone who has the slightest question of whether or not they may be alcoholic should read this book!