| A List of A.A. History Sites: History sites and resources compiled by writer Dick B. |
| A Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous - 1940: A Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous From AA Group No. 1, Akron, Ohio, 1940 - Dr. Bob's Home Group |
| A Photographic Journey Through AA History: Photographs of pioneers of Alcoholics Anonymous and important places and documents. |
| A.A. History and Archives at Indiana University: Development of spiritual aspects of the A.A. program. Consists of articles and resource material formatted for easy printing. |
| A.A. History Buffs: A discussion group for those interested in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. (Was replaced by AA History Lovers.) |
| A.A. History by Mitchell K.: A collection of articles by historian and archivist Mitchell K. on the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| A.A. History Lovers: A discussion group for those interested in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Replaced the earlier History Buffs group. |
| A.A. in Regular Magazines: Complete text of several articles in general circulation magazines. From the History Lovers archive. ["Next" "Previous" scrolls more] |
| A.A. in Religious Magazines: Complete text of several articles in religious magazines. From the History Lovers archive. ["Next" "Previous" scrolls more] |
| AA Basics: A Study: One writer's view of the Twelve Steps and their relation to Bible verses such as in James, Matthew 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount), and 1 Corinthians 13. |
| AA Grapevine Digital Archives: Trace the history of Alcoholics Anonymous through the news and views of members over the years. Every "AA Grapevine" magazine article since the first issue. [Subscription] |
| AA Grapevine on Early Groups: Collection of articles 1944-48 about activities of groups as they formed. Complete Grapevine text. From the History Lovers archives. |
| AA History and Trivia: A sober web site for recovering alcoholics. Questions and answers on AA History and other fun for members of Alcoholics Anonymous and their friends. |
| AA History from Cybriety.org: Scores of articles, letters, and pictures about the development of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| Alcoholics and God - Liberty Magazine: The September 1939 Liberty Magazine article on Alcoholics Anonymous. First national coverage of AA. |
| Alcoholics and God - Liberty Magazine: September 1939 Liberty magazine had the first major article about Alcoholics Anonymous after publication of the Big Book. Includes the magazine cover. |
| Alcoholics Anonymous Historical Data: The Birth of A.A. and its growth in U.S. and Canada. By the AA General Service Office. |
| Alcoholics Anonymous in Bristol and the West of England: Brief history of how AA came to Bristol, England, and spread from there. |
| An 1878 View of The Washingtonians: Article from book "The Temperance Reform and its Great Reformers." The Washingtonians was an early predecessor of AA which faded away. |
| An A.A. History Archive: A collection of articles and letters relating to the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| An Illustrated AA Bibliography: Articles about important figures in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Some Oxford Group material. Links to pages with some audio clips. |
| Angel of Hope: Offers a video biography of Sister Ignatia who provided medical care for many early members of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| Archives International Documenting Early A.A. Roots and History: A history of Alcoholics Anonymous beginning's from 1925 to 1955 |
| Australian AA History: Tells of the start and growth of Alcoholics Anonymous in Australia (1942 thru 1999). |
| Big Book Early Manuscript: This early draft of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous was written before the manuscript that was distributed for review. |
| Bill W Obituary: New York Times News Service article on the passing of A.A. co-founder Bill W on Sunday, January 24, 1971. |
| Bill W: Brooklyn's Most-Quoted Humanitarian: Excerpt from "Bill W." by Robert Thomsen summarizes the influence of the Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder. |
| Changed by Grace - V. C. Kitchen, the Oxford Group, and A.A.: Formation of Alcoholics Anonymous in relation to the Oxford Group as described in 'I Was a Pagan" and religious views of the time. Complete text of a book by Glenn Chesnut. |
| Christian or Occult Roots?: The authors suggest that AA did not originate in Christianity since it has never required members to believe in Christ crucified. |
| Circle and Triangle Logo: What happened to the triangle in the circle? History of why this symbol was removed from Alcoholics Anonymous publications in 1993. |
| Clarence Snyder - Home Brewmeister: A biography of the man who started AA in Cleveland, Ohio. This was the first group to be called Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| Commentaries about Alcoholics Anonymous: Articles on the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Includes magazines and other resources that were important in the origins of AA. |
| Dallas, Texas, AA History: Esther E. ("A Flower of the South") introduced AA to Dallas in 1943. Includes an interview with oldtimer Searcy W. |
| Diagnostic Criteria for Alcohol Abuse and Dependence: Formal definitions of alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence are updated over time. This paper follows them from Jellinek's 1941 work to today's DSM-IV criteria. |
| Dick B Articles on A.A. History: This prolific writer focuses on the Christian and Bible influences on early Alcoholics Anonymous. Several articles here. Links to other sites with even more. |
| Dr Harry Tiebout Papers: Dr. Harry M. Tiebout, a psychiatrist, was an early supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous. These papers are an important part of A.A. history. |
| Dr. Robert Smith Archives at Brown University: The collection of correspondence, meeting notes and books of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Dr. Robert H. Smith has been acquired by Brown University and will be made available to researchers interested in the origins of 12-step recovery programs. |
| For Drunks Only: Preface to "For Drunks Only" gives history of that book as well as the popular "Twenty-Four Hours a Day" meditation book. |
| History in Photos: A photographic journey through the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Founders, friends, and memorabilia. |
| History of AA in Ireland: About the people who first brought Alcoholics Anonymous to Ireland. |
| How it Worked: The story of Clarence S and the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio. Complete text available free on-line. His was "Home Brewmeister" story in the Big Book. |
| How the West was Won: How Alcoholics Anonymous came to the West of England. |
| ICYPAA History: International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. Presently limited to the location of their conventions 1958 to present. |
| In AA's First Five Years: An AA Grapevine article from 1967 by Lois W. A bit of Alcoholics Anonymous history including how Al-Anon was started. |
| JAMA Big Book Review 1939: Brief 1939 Journal of the American Medical Association critique of Alcoholics Anonymous said that, other than recognition of the seriousness of addiction to alcohol, "the book has no scientific merit or interest." |
| Key Dates in Alcoholics Anonymous: Events in AA history arranged by day of the year. Collected by Nancy O. |
| Minneapolis A.A. Beginners Classes: This instructor's outline for the Minneapolis A.A. Beginners Classes was used in 1942. |
| Old School A.A.: Books about the Christian techniques of the early A.A. fellowship. |
| Original "How It Works": Text of "How It Works" chapter as it was in the draft manuscript. |
| Oxford Group Books: PDF downloads of "Soul Surgery" and "What Is the Oxford Group?" and "I Was a Pagan." Alcoholics Anonymous is a descendent of the Oxford Groups. |
| Oxford Group Pamphlets Reprinted: Thirteen complete Oxford Group pamphlets. Most of AA spiritual principals were drawn from this group's writings. |
| People in AA History: An anterwoven web of the people mentioned in Alcoholics Anonymous literature, who they are and how they fit in |
| Phoenix A.A. History Conference: Annual event. Three days of Alcoholics Anonymous history and archives. Usually in late winter. |
| Photographs from AA History: A collection from the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous with a few more recent pictures. |
| Plain Dealer: Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper articles on Alcoholics Anonymous. Elrick Davis, October 1939. Took AA beyond mere word of mouth. |
| Preserving the History of Alcoholics Anonymous: Describes the Kirk Collection on AA at Brown University. Includes history of colonial and revolutionary temperance movements, Prohibition and repeal, and more modern studies of alcohol and alcoholism that emphasize Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| Quotation - Contempt Prior to Investigation: Researcher traces the origin of the "contempt prior to investigation" quote to William Paley (1743-1845). The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous credited it to Herbert Spencer (1820-1903). [Also available in PDF] |
| Rowland Hazard: Rowland Hazard met briefly with Carl Jung but sobered through the Emmanual Movement and then the Oxford Groups. Review and excerpt of "The Road to Fellowship: The Role of the Emmanuel Movement and the Jacoby Club in the Development of Alcoholics Anonymous" by Richard Dubiel. |
| Searcy W: Interview with early Texas AA member who was 54+ years sober at the time. |
| Searcy's Book 1: Offers a book on "My Alcoholism Recovery since 1946" and a history of how early A.A. groups started. |
| Silkworth Writings: The writings, articles, letters and documents of Dr. William Duncan Silkworth, M.D. -also known as Silky. |
| Slaying the Dragon: The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery: Book review and summary. Alcoholism was seen in America as an illness from Surgeon General Benjamin Rush in 1784 to present treatment centers. Follows mutual support groups from Native Americans in 1772 to Alcoholics Anonymous and other fellowships of today. |
| Some Early Sobriety Mementos: Photos of some early tokens marking various periods of sobriety in AA. These led to the chips that some groups still use today. |
| Success Rates in Early A.A.: Alcoholics Anonymous still works for alcoholics who want to stop drinking and who really try. Numbers look different because early AA prescreened candidates. Examples. |
| Sue Smith Windows Memorial Book: Obituary and funeral card of the daughter of Doctor Bob, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. February 15, 1918 to February 9, 2002. |
| Ten Years of A.A. in Cuba: A report by someone who attended the tenth anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cuba. |
| Tennessee Archives: This site is Tennessee State Archives of Alcoholics Anonymous in Area 64. The main purpose is to carry the message to the still suffering Alcoholic. |
| The Akron Manual from 1940 (Part 1): Historic pamphlet given to newcomers in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| The Akron Manual from 1940 (Part 2): Conclusion of historic pamphlet given to newcomers in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| The Co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Articles about and talks by Bill W and Doctor Bob S. Includes memorial service talk by Bill in memory of Bob. Some recordings available in Real Audio. |
| The Common Sense of Drinking: This 1931 book by Richard Peabody was influential in the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. Complete text is available as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file. |
| The Detroit Pamphlet: "An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps" is a historic pamphlet used in early Alcoholics Anonymous. Steps are arranged in four topics of Admission, Spiritual Phase, Inventory and Restitution, and Active Work. |
| The Devil and Bill Wilson: Looks at problems Bill Wilson had with his sobriety. Contrasts it to Doctor Bob's approach. |
| The Emmanuel Movement and the Jacoby Club: Traces AA to the 1906 Emmanuel Movement of Boston. Spirituality and lay psychotherapy helped alcoholics. Courtenay Baylor became Rowland Hazard's therapist in 1933. Hazard worked with Ebby Thatcher and Ebby gave it to Bill Wilson who then became co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| The History of Alcoholics Anonymous: Historical writings, documents, letters, events, people, places and references through-out the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| The Jack Alexander Article: "Alcoholics Anonymous" by Jack Alexander, Saturday Evening Post, March 1, 1941. This resulted in a major growth of AA. |
| The Lord's Prayer: Letter from AA co-founder Bill W about the custom of using this prayer to close an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. |
| The Oxford Group Connection: Many spiritual principles of Alcoholics Anonymous came from the Oxford Groups, an early 20th century religious movement. This article traces that part of AA history. |
| The Oxford Group Connection: An article about the Oxford Group and its influence in the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Focuses on events from 1908 through the founding of AA in 1935. |
| The Real Oxford Group Connection to A.A.: Summary of Dick B's writings on the Oxford Groups as related to AA as of 2002. |
| The Serenity Prayer: A 1992 article from "Box 4-5-9" on the origins of the Serenity Prayer and how it came to Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| The Serenity Prayer - Origins In England and Germany: The Serenity Prayer is often attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr. This article in "Respectfully Quoted" traces it to 14th England and 18th century Germany. |
| The Third Step and Your Prayer: Examples of prayers in use prior to publication of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| The Varieties of Religious Experience: In 1938, a future founder of Alcoholics Anonymous read "Varieties of Religious Experience" by philosopher and psychologist William James. Some of these ideas were important in the history of A.A. principles. Complete text. |
| Time Line on Development of the Twelve Steps: Traces the Twelve Steps of AA from 19th century revivalists through the Oxford Groups and Alcoholics Anonymous to multiple views of today. |
| Tombstone at Winchester Cathedral: Photograph of the tombstone which is quoted on Page 1 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
| Twelve Step History: Several articles about AA and the Twelve Steps collected by Serenity Found. |
| William James: "Varieties of Religious Experience" by William James was important in early history of Alcoholics Anonymous. Complete text of many of James' writings (including Varieties) along with related summaries and commentaries. |
| Writing The Big Book: Most of the ideas and wording in the A.A. book came from other writers. An essay by archivist and historian Mitchell K. |
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