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Writing the Big Book : The Creation of A. A. by William H. Schaberg (2019, Hardcover)
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherCentral Recovery Press
ISBN-10194948128X
ISBN-139781949481280
eBay Product ID (ePID)24038398930
Product Key Features
Book TitleWriting the Big Book : the Creation of A. A.
Number of Pages800 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication Year2019
TopicSubstance Abuse & Addictions / Alcohol, Social Activists, Psychopathology / Addiction, Twelve-Step Programs
IllustratorYes
GenreSelf-Help, Biography & Autobiography, Psychology
AuthorWilliam H. Schaberg
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height2.4 in
Item Weight49.4 Oz
Item Length9.5 in
Item Width6.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN2019-009154
Dewey Edition23
ReviewsPublishers Weekly Writing the Big Book: The Creation of A.A. William H. Schaberg. Central Recovery, $40 (800p) ISBN 978-1-949481-28-0 Rare books dealer Schaberg ( The Nietzsche Canon ) provides an admirably exhaustive, albeit intimidatingly lengthy, look at the writing of Alcoholic Anonymous's foundational 1939 text--known colloquially as The Big Book , and in full as Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism . Through years of archival research, Schaberg uncovered a tremendous amountof first-hand documentation related to the book's composition. He demonstrates a detective's skill in using this evidence to examine accounts by major A.A. figures and identify contradictions, often traceable to what he calls themythmaking tendencies of A.A.'s charismatic and garrulous founder Bill Wilson, the Big Book's primary author. Among other things, Schaberg shows that the creation of A.A.'s most famous tenet, the 12 Steps, was likely not the sudden, inspired event [Wilson] so frequently reported,but amuch more... deliberate affair.Elsewhere, Schaberg demonstrates equal skill as a literary archeologist in excavating past drafts of the book, finding traces of a planned but unwritten chapter about thepotential alcoholicstill evident in the finished text, and showing how a much-debated internal A.A. decision--to use the wordGod, but not more creed-specific language--shaped the Steps. The main caveat for general readers will be this book's monumental scale; nonetheless, Schaberg's work is a landmark study. (Oct.) KEYS TO RECOVERY Writing the Big Book: The Creation of A.A. Written by William H. Schaberg. Published by Central Recovery Press BOOK REVIEW All I can say is if you are in any way connected to A.A. or want to be, READ this book. It is an incredible source of information from the early days of A.A. and how the Big Book was written. The detailed retelling - based on primary document research - of the events from Sept 1937 to April 1939. We have all heard bits and pieces of how the Big Book was written, and what was originally going to be included, and the debates over the content, as it was being written. William H. Schaberg puts all the pieces together pulled from the vast resources found in the A.A. archives. An enjoyable and easy read. Do not let the size of this book scare you. Each area of the Big Book is outlined and explained, with factual detail. He introduces us to the importance of Hank Parkhurst's influence on the text. William makes sure to include where all this information was obtained from, he took special attention to separate exact quotes and lightly modified. I feel that the author took extreme measures to give us the REAL re-telling of the creation of the Big Book. Thank you, William H. Schaberg, for taking so much time, energy and loving respect in the writing of this vital book. My favorite part was The original Twelve Steps. This book would make a great gift. I loved this book and I can't wait to share al the great facts I learned while reading this book. Five Big Shiny Sober Stars.
Dewey Decimal362.29286
SynopsisThe definitive history of writing and producing the"Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous, told through extensive access to the group's archives. Alcoholics Anonymous is arguably the most significant self-help book published in the twentieth century. Released in 1939, the "Big Book," as it's commonly known, has sold an estimated 37 million copies, been translated into seventy languages, and spawned numerous recovery communities around the world while remaining a vibrant plan for recovery from addiction in all its forms for millions of people. While there are many books about A.A. history, most rely on anecdotal stories told well after the fact by Bill Wilson and other early members--accounts that have proved to be woefully inaccurate at times. Writing the Big Book brings exhaustive research, academic discipline, and informed insight to the subject not seen since Ernest Kurtz's Not-God , published forty years ago. Focusing primarily on the eighteen months from October 1937, when a book was first proposed, and April 1939 when Alcoholics Anonymous was published, Schaberg's history is based on eleven years of research into the wealth of 1930s documents currently preserved in several A.A. archives. Woven together into an exciting narrative, these real-time documents tell an almost week-by-week story of how the book was created, providing more than a few unexpected turns and surprising departures from the hallowed stories that have been so widely circulated about early A.A. history. Fast-paced, engaging, and contrary, Writing the Big Book presents a vivid picture of how early A.A. operated and grew and reveals many previously unreported details about the colorful cast of characters who were responsible for making that group so successful., The definitive history of writing and producing the"Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous, told through extensive access to the group's archives.
LC Classification NumberHV5278.S33 2019
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Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 07 Jul, 2020
AA History
Very well written history on AA’s Big Book. Very hard to put down once you start reading. It’s well researched and documented.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 26 Feb, 2023
writing the big book
very informativeVerified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 06 Feb, 2020
Great AA History book
Love readingVerified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 12 Mar, 2020
Lots of new information.
Enjoy the book. Very informative.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 25 Feb, 2020
Great
Adding more to missing info of the History of AAVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
