Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book
Second Edition (1955) 13th Printing 1972
Original Dust Jacket (100M-1/72)
Description
Offered here is an original Second Edition Big Book (1955), Thirteenth Printing, 1972, published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York City, and complete with the original dust jacket.
The Second Edition (1955–1976) was A.A.’s first major revision of its foundational text. While the basic text (pp. 1–165) remained substantially unchanged, the surrounding material was expanded and updated to reflect the Fellowship’s dramatic growth and maturing worldwide reach. Notable Second Edition updates include revised and enlarged front matter (including an historical sketch), additional recommendations from religion and medicine, an expanded Appendix (including A.A. Traditions and worldwide contact information), and a significantly revised Personal Stories section—thirty-seven case histories with approximately 110,000 words of new material, including Part II, “They Stopped in Time.”
Like all Second Edition jackets, this one retains the classic anonymity feature:
“If you wish to preserve complete personal anonymity when carrying this book, just turn this jacket inside out…”
Printing Identification
This copy is confirmed as the Second Edition, Thirteenth Printing (1972) by the dust jacket back-flap notation: “100M-1/72 (C)” — a code specific to 13th Printing Second Edition jackets.
Condition
Book: Very good condition with minimal wear. No writing or markings inside. Clean text block; solid binding.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present. Good condition with some edge wear. Complete and intact.
Please review all photos for the most accurate representation of condition.
- Historic Feature: Early coverage of Alcoholics Anonymous in a major national magazine.
- Rockefeller Connection: Details the crucial dinner that helped establish A.A.’s legitimacy.
- Early A.A. History: Documents the fellowship just five years after its founding.
- Condition: Well-preserved copy, good overall with only wear to front cover.
This issue is a historically significant artifact, capturing the moment Alcoholics Anonymous first entered the public spotlight, an event that shaped the fellowship’s future growth into a worldwide movement.
