(thread three in a series of several)
Foreword I online: http://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/en_bigbo ... dition.pdf
"WE, OF Alcoholics Anonymous ..." << our ad-hoc "Society" mentioned in our book's PrefaceForeword to First Edition
This is the Foreword as it appeared in the first printing of the first edition in 1939.
WE, OF Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. We think this account of our experiences will help everyone to better understand the alcoholic. Many do not comprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick person. And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all ...
"... more than one hundred men and women ..." << true today even if questionable in 1939
"... who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body."
"Doubtless you are curious to discover how and why, in the face of expert opinion to the contrary,
we have recovered from a hopeless condition of mind and body." (page 20)
"... and have been given the power to help others." (page 132)
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"To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book."
"We shall bring to the task our combined experience and knowledge." (page 19)
"Further on, clear-cut directions are given showing how we recovered." (page 29)
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"... we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary."
"... a subject which is covered in such masterly detail in these pages." (Dr. Silkworth)
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"We think this account of our experiences will help everyone to better understand the alcoholic."
"We hope this volume will inform and comfort those who are, or who may be affected." (page 18)
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"Many do not comprehend that the alcoholic is a very sick person."
"Many of us felt that we had plenty of character. There was a tremendous urge to cease forever. Yet we found it impossible. This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it - this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish." (page 34)
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"And besides, we are sure that our way of living has its advantages for all."
"... anyone or everyone interested in a spiritual way of life." (page 160)
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"When writing or speaking publicly about alcoholism, we urge each of our Fellowship to omit his personal name, designating himself instead as 'a member of Alcoholics Anonymous.'"...
When writing or speaking publicly about alcoholism, we urge each of our Fellowship to omit his personal name, designating himself instead as “a member of Alcoholics Anonymous.”
Very earnestly we ask the press also, to observe this request ...
We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word. There are no fees or dues whatsoever. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. We are not allied with any particular faith, sect or denomination, nor do we oppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted ...
© Copyright 2012 Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
All Right Reserved
"Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity ... better to let our friends recommend us." (Tradition Eleven)
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"We are not an organization in the conventional sense of the word."
"... fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous may spring up in each city and hamlet ..." (page 153)
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"There are no fees or dues whatsoever. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking."
"... no fees to pay, no axes to grind, no people to please, no lectures to be endured ..." (page 18)
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"We are not allied with any particular faith, sect or denomination, nor do we oppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted."
"... whatever the human frailties of various faiths may be ... have given purpose and direction to millions." (page 49)
"We are dealing only with general principles common to most denominations." (page 94)
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forum link to the beginning of this series of threads: http://www.e-aa.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=9572 "Beginning at the beginning ..."
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This thread is now open for discussion!