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The Little Red Book: The Original 1946 Edition
“Minneapolis record indicates that 75% are successful in A.A.”
- The A.A. Grapevine , August, 1946 In 1942, Ed W. began teaching the “Twelve Step Study” classes that helped the Minneapolis Group achieve their 75% recovery rate. Then in 1946, he and Barry C. (The first sober A.A. in the state) published the lectures used for these classes as a book. Initially titled The Twelve Steps , it was affectionately nicknamed “the little red book.”
Back in print for the first time in more than 65 years, the original 1946 edition reveals firsthand how some of A.A.’s earliest members made the program their way of life . Everyone from newcomers to oldtimers will find a wealth of practical experience in this comprehensive guide to the Twelve Steps. Praise for the 1946 edition of The Little Red Book : “I have enjoyed your little book very much & know that it will prove to be of a lot of help to many.”
- Dr. Bob , co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous
From a letter to Ed W., dated December 29th, 1946 “Everybody who has read it seems to like it very much—which of course was to be expected!”
- Bill W. , co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous
From a letter to Ed W., dated November 14th, 1946 In order to facilitate study by the broadest possible audience, references to page numbers in the book Alcoholics Anonymous have been altered to correspond to those used in the Fourth Edition. No other changes have been made to the original text. Don't be misled! Look for "The Original 1946 Edition" on the cover before purchasing. This is the only accurate reprint of the text as it was originally written.
- The A.A. Grapevine , August, 1946 In 1942, Ed W. began teaching the “Twelve Step Study” classes that helped the Minneapolis Group achieve their 75% recovery rate. Then in 1946, he and Barry C. (The first sober A.A. in the state) published the lectures used for these classes as a book. Initially titled The Twelve Steps , it was affectionately nicknamed “the little red book.”
Back in print for the first time in more than 65 years, the original 1946 edition reveals firsthand how some of A.A.’s earliest members made the program their way of life . Everyone from newcomers to oldtimers will find a wealth of practical experience in this comprehensive guide to the Twelve Steps. Praise for the 1946 edition of The Little Red Book : “I have enjoyed your little book very much & know that it will prove to be of a lot of help to many.”
- Dr. Bob , co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous
From a letter to Ed W., dated December 29th, 1946 “Everybody who has read it seems to like it very much—which of course was to be expected!”
- Bill W. , co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous
From a letter to Ed W., dated November 14th, 1946 In order to facilitate study by the broadest possible audience, references to page numbers in the book Alcoholics Anonymous have been altered to correspond to those used in the Fourth Edition. No other changes have been made to the original text. Don't be misled! Look for "The Original 1946 Edition" on the cover before purchasing. This is the only accurate reprint of the text as it was originally written.
116 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2013
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 15, 2026
I think it's my third time through. Written by early members. No nonsense. Just the facts.
April 21, 2023
Let me start by saying that the two stars is my rating of the enjoyment of reading the book, it is not a rating of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I acquired this book by accident. I was aiming to buy Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book but it was too cheap to be worth returning. My knowledge of AA is confined to what I have seen on TV shows and I don’t drink.
The book is a copy of the original 1946 edition so I assume it’s been updated since then.
The book seems to be designed as a supplement to a longer, I assume, book “Alcoholics Anonymous”.
Between the outdated language / style, the summary nature of the book and its use of block capitals I found the book a confusing read hence its rating.
I was fascinated by how religious the program was. In fact it explicitly says that being an atheist is a reason you’ll fail.
I acquired this book by accident. I was aiming to buy Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book but it was too cheap to be worth returning. My knowledge of AA is confined to what I have seen on TV shows and I don’t drink.
The book is a copy of the original 1946 edition so I assume it’s been updated since then.
The book seems to be designed as a supplement to a longer, I assume, book “Alcoholics Anonymous”.
Between the outdated language / style, the summary nature of the book and its use of block capitals I found the book a confusing read hence its rating.
I was fascinated by how religious the program was. In fact it explicitly says that being an atheist is a reason you’ll fail.
February 9, 2023
a new way of living
I can’t, God can so I think I’ll let him. Clean up your side of the street by looking at your defects. Admit them to God, yourself and another human being gaining humility. Make amends which is more than saying your sorry. Then do the maintainance steps. Keep your side of the street clean, improve your conscious contact with God and help others.
I can’t, God can so I think I’ll let him. Clean up your side of the street by looking at your defects. Admit them to God, yourself and another human being gaining humility. Make amends which is more than saying your sorry. Then do the maintainance steps. Keep your side of the street clean, improve your conscious contact with God and help others.
February 3, 2023
Highly satisfied
No nonsense. To the point. A eye opener for the alcoholic sufferer. Compassionate. Accurate concerning the disease of Alcohoism. Thanks
No nonsense. To the point. A eye opener for the alcoholic sufferer. Compassionate. Accurate concerning the disease of Alcohoism. Thanks
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews