Midland Intergroup of

Readings in A.A. History

Alcoholics Anonymous – the original multilith manuscript

This is a copy of the multilith version of the book "Alcholics Anonymous" that was sent to the early members, as well as doctors and clergymen, for comments, prior to the printing of the first edition of the Big Book.

AA History Timeline

Thanks to Art S. for this great summary!

The Akron Manual for AA

A pamphlet published in 1940, one year after the first Big Book, by A.A.s in Akron, Ohio. It was intended as a primer for newcomers and a guide to the program of A.A. and still has much useful information.

As A Man Thinketh

One of the books on the early Akron recommended reading list; written in 1908 by James Allen.

The Common Sense of Drinking

Another book popular with early Akron AAs; written by Richard R. Peabody in 1930.

The Detroit Pamphlet

"An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps"

Early Akron Recommeded Reading List

Ego Factors in Surrender

By Dr. Harry Tiebout, an early friend of AA and a Class A (nonalcoholic) trustee.

Emmett Fox and AA

Fox was a popular writer and lecturer on spirituality in the 1930's. He authored the book The Sermon on the Mount, which was on Dr. Bob's required reading list for the men he sponsored.

In AA's First Five Years

"In the early days of AA things were really different…" Lois W.'s reminiscences of life in early A.A., from the January, 1967 Grapevine

The Gabriel Heatter Interview

Gabriel Heatter, the nationally recognized radio broadcaster, provided the forum for the the first national exposure received by Alcoholics Anonymous on his "We the People" radio show in 1939.

Going Through the Steps

Clarence S. started the third group of what was to become A.A., in Cleveland, Ohio and sponsored many people in the early years.

How the Big Book Was Put Together

Text of a talk by Bill W. in 1954.

How to Listen to God

An Oxford Group pamphlet by John E. Batterson

The Jack Alexander Article

Written in 1941 by a popular investigative journalist, this sparked the first great surge of interest in AA.

"Musts" in the Big Book

You may have heard people say that there are not "musts" in the Big Book – see for yourself!

Origins of Alcoholics Anonymous

Henrietta Seiberling's recollections of how Bill W. and Dr. Bob first met at her home and the early days of A.A.

The Oxford Group Connection

An article on the early roots of the A.A. program. When they met, Bill W. and Dr. Bob had both been members of this influential group for several years.

Quiet Time

An Oxford Group pamphlet by Howard J. Rose.

Rev. Tunk's Article

An Akron newspaper article titled, "AA Is Religion With Its Feet on the Ground", about a sermon delivered in July, 1948 by Reverend Tunks. It was Reverend Tunk whom Bill W. called from the Mayflower Hotel in 1935 and who helped Bill meet Dr. Bob.

The Care of Alcoholics

Written by Sister Ignatia for the October, 1951 issue of Hospital Progress magazine, this article describes how she and Dr. Bob treated alcoholics in 1939.

Sponsorship Pamphlet

First published in Cleveland in 1944, this pamphlet was written by Clarence S., who was founder of the third AA groupand helped develop the system of sponsorship.

Varieties of Religious Experience

A classic of religion and philosophy, first published in 1904 and continuously in print ever since. Bill W. read this book after having his spiritual awakening in Towns Hospital in late 1934.

The Washingtonians

Reprinted from the July, 1945 Grapevine. The article compares A.A. with the earlier Washingtonian Movement that sobered up large numbers of drunks in the middle 1800s.