Category: 2nd Edition – Personal Stories – PART 3
FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE – 2nd Edition
This is the final story in the Second Edition entitled “Freedom From Bondage” and was printed in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Editions of the Big Book. It was written by Wynn L. who joined…
HE WHO LOSES HIS LIFE – 2nd Edition
This story, printed in the 2nd and 3rd Editions, was penned by Bob R. who sobered up in New York City AA in 1947. The story’s literary flair reflects Bob’s earlier ambitions of becoming a…
THE INDEPENDENT BLONDE – 2nd Edition
Published only in the Second Edition, this is the story of Nancy F., who got sober in New York City in 1945 when she was 39 years old. It is said that Nancy and another…
THE CAREER OFFICER – 2nd Edition
This story’s author is Sackville M., who got sober in Dublin, Ireland in 1947. Sackville helped reorganize the original Dublin AA meeting in which the secretary and a dozen members got drunk shortly after he…
ANNIE THE COP FIGHTER – 2nd Edition
Annie C. first joined AA in 1947 at the age of 67. One interesting item that shows up in Annie’s story is the reference to a farm in Connecticut where she went for a few…
DESPERATION DRINKING – 2nd Edition
This is a relatively short story printed in the Second and Third Editions. The author is Pat M., who joined AA and got sober around 1952. Those are the only two additional details uncovered by…
THERE’S NOTHING THE MATTER WITH ME! – 2nd Edition
Written by Bill G., who got sober in 1945, this story runs the gamut from being a successful business man to literally being a bum on the street, pawning his shoes, living under a bridge,…
THE PRISONER FREED – 2nd Edition
“The Prisoner Freed” was printed only in the Second and Third Editions, so it will be heard for the first time by those who’ve otherwise been raised on the Fourth Editions alone. As with some…
PROMOTED TO CHRONIC – 2nd Edition
Printed only in the 2nd and 3rd Editions of the Big Book, “Promoted to Chronic” was written by Helen B., who got sober in 1945. After working for the Boston Central Services Office of A.A.,…
JIM’S STORY – Second Edition
“Jim’s Story” was written by Dr. Jim S., a physician in Washington D.C., who is credited with founding the first black AA group. While the struggles of starting that group are well-noted in the story,…
OUR SOUTHERN FRIEND – 2nd Edition
This is one of only 5 stories to show up in all 4 Editions. The author is John Henry Fitzhugh Mayo, known to his contemporaries as “Fitz” M. Unlike some of the previous Personal Stories,…
JOE’S WOES – 2nd Edition
This 73rd episode begins Part 3, the last part of the Personal Stories section of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1955. Part 3 is entitled “They Lost Nearly All” and contains the…