The Little Red Book: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program
Ed Webster — 21st Printing (1967) — Coll-Webb Co. (Minneapolis)
Description
Offered here is a 1967 (21st printing) of The Little Red Book: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program, published by Coll-Webb Company—the Minneapolis-based publisher closely associated with early A.A. member Ed Webster.
Often simply called “The Little Red Book,” this compact volume became one of the most widely circulated unofficial early guides to the Twelve Steps. Written in a direct, plainspoken style, it was designed to help A.A. members translate the Steps into day-to-day practice—making it a longtime favorite in group study settings and personal reading.
About the Author / Publisher
Ed Webster, who got sober in Minneapolis in 1941, worked with Barry Collins to form Coll-Webb Co., which distributed The Little Red Book and related A.A.-adjacent titles for decades. For collectors, later printings like this 1967 21st still carry strong interest—especially as clean, intact copies were frequently used hard in meetings and sponsorship work.
Edition Details
-
Title: The Little Red Book: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program
-
Author: Ed Webster
-
Publisher: Coll-Webb Company (Minneapolis)
-
Printing: 21st Printing
-
Year: 1967
Condition
Good condition overall.
-
Binding is tight and the book is complete (no missing pages)
-
Text pages are clean with no writing or markings noted
-
Covers show wear, including fading and staining, consistent with age and use
Please view all photos for the most accurate representation of condition.
Collector Notes
A classic piece of mid-century recovery ephemera and one of the best-known early Twelve Step companion texts outside official A.A. publishing. A strong addition for collectors building an A.A. history shelf—especially Minneapolis/A.A. Midwest material and Coll-Webb-related items.
- 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.
