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History of the AA Preamble

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History of the AA Preamble Not long ago, a single change was made to the AA Preamble to modernize it to non-gender-specific language. The change was simple: "Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women..." was changed to "Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people..." This is now the simplified, gender-approved update to the AA Preamble. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of PEOPLE who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their … [Read more...]

Henry G. (Hank) Parkhurst. (1895-1954)

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Hank Parkhurst was a business dynamo who was the first alcoholic to recover in New York, following Bill Wilson. Thus, Hank was New York's AA#2. His was a vital contribution to AA: without Hank Parkhurst the Big Book might never have been published. Hank was born March 13, 1895, in Marion, Iowa into a family that had lived in that area for several generations. He was so gifted an entrepreneur that an associate once described him as being able to produce a good idea a minute for business. … [Read more...]

Analysis and comparison of three treatment measures for alcoholism: antabuse, the alcoholics anonymous approach, and psychotherapy

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British Journal of Addiction, Vol. 50, 1953:   By FRANCIS T. CHAMBERS, Jr. of the Philadelphia Hospital Institute In 1935 I joined the staff of the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital, and with the generous support of the senior staff members endeavored to work out a treatment plan to be available for those seeking help for acute problems. This plan had the then unique characteristic of being a positive, rather than a negative approach. By and large, at this period, most … [Read more...]

Letter to Dr. Carl Jung from Bill Wilson

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The below letter was written by Bill Wilson to the eminent Swiss psychologist & psychiatrist Dr. Carl Gustav Jung which was dated 1/23/61.  Bill considered it a long overdue note of appreciation for Dr. Jung's contribution to A.A.'s solution for alcoholism.  The Big Book refers to part of the story on pages 26 & 27.  This letter is then followed by Dr. Jung’s reply.   My dear Dr. Jung: This letter of great appreciation has been very long overdue. May I first introduce … [Read more...]

AA’s Forgotten Beginning – The Alcoholics Anonymous “Beginners’ Classes”

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(Facts and thoughts transcribed from a talk given by Wally P. on 11/23/96 in Mesa, Arizona.  Wally is the author of the book "Back To Basics: The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings, 'Here are the steps we took...' in Four One-Hour Sessions".) Initial growth in Alcoholics Anonymous took place in Cleveland, Ohio. Clarence S. and the guys went out actively pursuing drunks and brought them off bar stools and street corners. We don't do that today, but we were doing it back then [late 1930's … [Read more...]

The Washingtonians

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The following, rather long, extract describes the Washingtonians and one of their star speakers as they were seen from the perspective of the latter part of the 19th century--years after their decline to little more than a fond memory in the minds of temperance advocates. The extract is from The Temperance Reform and its Great Reformers by Rev. W.H. Daniels, A.M., published 1878. Thanks to Rick K. who came across the book, converted this segment into digital format, and made it available for … [Read more...]

History of the AA Preamble

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In 1947, because of the growing interest in AA, the Grapevine editors decided to write a brief definition of the Fellowship. Thus, the AA Preamble was first published in the June 1947 issue. They used portions of the Foreword to the first edition of the Big Book. The Grapevine had just begun to circulate among non-alcoholics, and the Preamble was intended primarily to describe for them what AA is and is not. It is still often used for public information purposes. As time passed, it began … [Read more...]

Bill Wilson and Law School

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Bill writes in the Big Book (page 2): "I took a night law course...I studied economics and business as well as law...Potential alcoholic that I was, I nearly failed my law course. At one of the finals I was too drunk to think or write...By the time I had completed the law, I knew the law was not for me." Dan Demarest, a former Stepping Stones board member (Stepping Stones is where Bill & Lois lived the last half of their life) and a lawyer himself, was curious about Bill's almost-law … [Read more...]

Bill’s “Sweet Promises”

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"I woke up. This had to be stopped. I saw I could not take so much as one drink. I was through forever. Before then, I had written lots of sweet promises, but my wife happily observed that this time I meant business. And so I did. Shortly afterward I came home drunk." "Big Book" page 5. ********** "There were unhappy scenes in the sumptuous Livingston Street apartment. Promise followed empty promise. On October 20, 1928, Bill wrote in the family Bible, the most sacred place he knew: 'To … [Read more...]

Bill W. Talk As Given at the Yale School of Alcohol Studies

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This is a transcribed talk that Bill Wilson gave back in 1944. It can be found in a book called "Alcohol, Science and Society" that came out in 1945 which contains 29 lectures with discussions as given at the Yale Summer School of Alcohol Studies. This is the only talk by Bill in the book. I love the fact that there is a question and answer part at the end! THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS By W.W. As Given at the Yale School of Alcohol Studies June 1944 My first task is a … [Read more...]

Bill Wilson’s 1969 U.S. Senate Testimony

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The Impact Of Alcoholism Hearings before the Special Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, United States Senate, ninety-first Congress, first session, on examination of the impact of alcoholism, Thursday, July 24, 1969. The subcommittee met at 9:30 a.m., pursuant to call in room 4232, New Senate Office Building, Senator Harold E. Hughes (chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding. Present: Senators Hughes, Yarborough, Williams, Javits, … [Read more...]

Is A.A. For Alcoholics Only?

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Few would argue that A.A. cofounder Bill Wilson was ahead of his time. In this reprint from the September 1947 issue of "Guideposts", Bill's first nationally published magazine article, he poses a question that resonates today. Our most enthusiastic friends think Alcoholics Anonymous is a modern miracle. So they ask, "Why can't A.A. principles be applied to any personal problem?" The world today is a problem world because it is full of problem people. We are now on the greatest emotional … [Read more...]

Memorial Service for Dr. Bob

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24th Street Clubhouse, New York City, N.Y. November 15, 1952 A meeting was held at the 24th Street Club House in memory of Dr. Bob. A recording of Dr. Bob's last talk was played and a portrait of Dr. Bob was unveiled. Bill W. then addressed the meeting. Dr. Bob's recorded voice has come down to us across the air since he died in 1950. Some may say that his actual voice is still forever, but you and I know that is not so and that his spirit will be with us so long as this well loved society … [Read more...]