This page is for people interested in taking their recovery a little further / deeper after working their way through the 12 Steps.
I don't recommend diving into the history, unless a person has already experienced the solution that the original 12 Steps instructions have (in the AA Big Book).
Why? Because we addicts are great rationalizers. My addict-brain is always looking for a way out of the program, an excuse to leave.
The reader of these words will make their own choice. But my recommendation is to come back here after experiencing some of the benefits first.
An exceptionally cool piece of history from the AA Historian Collection at Brown University Online. This really speaks to the humility of early AA, and how much of a shoe string operation it was.
- Dr. Bob's Farewell Talk (Outside Link)
The co-founder of AA gave his dying public address in June 30, 1950. It's wonderful, short, and speaks to the real root of it all. - Historical Documents
(Outside Link, AA in the Desert) - AA History Group (Outside Link)
A cool non-GSO group of folks preserving old pamphlets and literature. A bunch of recovery nerds like me :) - 3 Talks to Medical Societies (PDF)
This is a great pamphlet sharing more detail of Bill W.'s story and the origins of AA (in his own words).
For reasons unclear, it was removed from the AA website. Here it is though! - "The Book that Started it All" (PDF, excerpt of AA Manuscript)
Ironically, this book did not "start it all", it was carrying the message to the addict who still suffers that did. But the AA Big Book certainly extended that message more widely by providing clear-cut instructions for how to do the 12 Steps. This publication is a deluxe full color re-printing of the original manuscript, with hand-written notes. A bit pricey, but pretty neat! - "Stepping Stones" The Historic Home of Bill and Lois W. (Outstide Link)
Cool site with lots of information on one of 12 Steps co-founders. - Dr. Bob's Home (Outstide Link)
Cool site with lots of information on one of 12 Steps co-founders. - Akron AA (Outstide Link)
Site for the oldest 12 Step group in the world. They sell lots of pamphlets used in the early days of AA, some of which were commissioned because Dr. Bob felt the Big Book was too complicated for newcomers. They also host the Founders Meeting each year- a special meeting where the pioneers gather to share experience, strength, and hope.
- AA Historian Collection at Brown University Online (Outside Link)
- Bob & Anne Smith Archive via Wally P's Website (Outside Link)
- Back to Basics (Wally P.) 1940's method explained (Outside Link)
An AA historian, Wally P., was given a treasure trove of letters, writings, photographs, and other personal items by Bob S's daughter, Sue Smith in the late 90's. He donated this collection to Brown University, where it can be publicly viewed online below.
- Akron Pamphlet #1 (1940) Intro to 12-Steps
- Akron Pamphlet #2 (1940) What Else Is There For Me In 12-Steps Besides Sobriety?
While they were never "conference approved", they are still in print today and sold at the Akron AA group shop, the oldest 12-Step group in the world (since 1935).
These pamphlets are dated in some parts, but also also utterly fascinating as to their detail in the early AA sponsorship methods.
The 2nd pamphlet has significantly helped me, and is packed with precise practical advice for recovery.
