Alcoholics Anonymous Second Edition 7th Printing from 1965 - ODJ

Alcoholics Anonymous

Second Edition Big Book

Seventh Printing · 1965

With Original Dust Jacket

Offered here is a Seventh Printing (1965) of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, the landmark 1955 revision of the Big Book. This copy includes its original dust jacket, an increasingly difficult feature to find intact from mid-1960s printings.

Edition Details

Title: Alcoholics Anonymous

Edition: Second Edition (New and Revised, 1955)

Printing: Seventh Printing

Year: 1965

Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present

The dust jacket back flap bears the notation:

“50M-365(C)”

This code is specific to Seventh Printings of the Second Edition and is an identifying point for collectors.

Historical Significance of the Second Edition

When the Second Edition was introduced in 1955, A.A. membership had grown from fewer than one hundred members in 1939 to more than 350,000 worldwide.

While the basic text (pages 1–165) remained substantially unchanged — preserving the original 1939 message — the Second Edition introduced important expansions:

• Re-edited and enlarged front matter, including an historical sketch

• Additional recommendations from religion and medicine

• A larger Appendix recording the A.A. Traditions and contact information

• A significantly revised and expanded Personal Story section

The Story Section grew to thirty-seven case histories, adding approximately 110,000 words of new material. Particular attention was drawn to Part II, “They Stopped in Time,” written for those questioning whether they were alcoholics and whether A.A. might be for them.

This edition was authorized by the General Service Conference in the hope that it would mark a new milestone in A.A.’s continued growth and service worldwide.

Dust Jacket Historical Note

All original Second Edition dust jackets include the well-known anonymity statement:

“If you wish to preserve complete personal anonymity when carrying this book, just turn this jacket inside out. It has been especially designed for your convenience.”

This thoughtful design detail remains one of the most recognizable features of the Second Edition era.

Condition

Book: Very good condition. Blue cloth boards show minor, honest wear consistent with age. Binding is tight and square. Pages are clean with no writing, highlighting, or markings.

Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present. Shows edge wear consistent with age and handling. Fully intact.

Please review all photos carefully to assess condition.