Came to Believe - Second Printing from 1973
Offered here is an early Second Printing from 1973 of Came to Believe: The Spiritual Adventure of A.A. as Experienced by Individual Members, published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Originally published in 1973, Came to Believe was created to explore the varied spiritual experiences of Alcoholics Anonymous members and the broad meaning of the phrase “God as we understood Him.”
The foreword explains that the booklet developed over several years in response to confusion among some newcomers who equated the word “spiritual” strictly with religion. The book instead presents a wide range of individual experiences, beliefs, and approaches to spirituality within A.A.
Much of the material was written specifically for the book, while selected pieces were reprinted from The A.A. Grapevine and other recovery publications. Bill W. had originally planned to write a foreword; instead, the introductions to the individual sections reflect material previously published in As Bill Sees It.
The book is organized around subjects including:
- Spirituality
- Spiritual experiences
- Prayer
- Release from obsession
- Faith and belief
- Individual interpretations of a Higher Power
The contents include contributions from A.A. members throughout the United States and internationally, illustrating the diversity of spiritual experience within the Fellowship.
Book Details
Title: Came to Believe
Subtitle: The Spiritual Adventure of A.A. as Experienced by Individual Members
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Year: 1973
Printing: Second Printing
Binding: Softcover
Publication Location: New York
Association / Ownership
The title page bears a handwritten notation for:
SPARR — Springfield Program for Alcoholism Rehabilitation and Research
This provides an interesting period connection to the broader alcoholism-treatment and rehabilitation field in which A.A. literature was widely used.
Condition
This copy is in good vintage condition.
The covers show noticeable rubbing, surface wear, edge wear, and age-related handling, with heavier wear visible along the spine and corners. There are small areas of staining and discoloration to the wrappers.
The interior remains intact and readable. The title page contains the handwritten SPARR institutional notation described above. Interior pages show light age toning and occasional minor marks consistent with use.
Please review all photographs carefully for the most complete representation of condition.
An appealing early printing of one of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services’ important works on spirituality, and a particularly interesting copy because of its connection to an alcoholism rehabilitation program.
