Authors of the Stories from the Book,
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
The person behind the stories -who they are and a brief biography.
Acknowledgments and credits for all that follows -for story author biographies. Thanks to Nancy O., moderator of AA History Buffs (AA History Lovers) and all mentioned in this acknowledgments and credits document, Nancy’s and others from around the country’s hard work made possible the following Big Book story authors brief biographies.
Author Unknown -Akron, Ohio, “Ace Full-Seven-Eleven” -from the Original Manuscript (OM), p. 62. -never published in the Big Book.
(Hank) Henry P. -New Jersey, “The Unbeliever“ -1st edition Big Book.
Florence R. -New York City, “A Feminine Victory“ -1st edition Big Book.
William R. -New Jersey, “A Business Man’s Recovery“ -1st edition Big Book.
Harry B. -New York, “A Different Slant“ -1st edition Big Book.
Walter B. -Cleveland, Ohio, “The Back-Slider“ -1st edition Big Book.
Ernie G. -Akron, Ohio, “The Seventh Month Slip“ -1st edition Big Book.
Tom L. -Akron, Ohio, “My Wife and I” –1st edition Big Book.
William (Bill) V. H. -Akron or Kent, Ohio, “A Ward of the Probate Court“ -1st edition Big Book.
Charlie S. -Akron, Ohio, “Riding the Rods” –1st edition Big Book.
Bob O. -Richfield (Akron), Ohio, “The Salesman” –1st edition Big Book.
Wallace (Wally) G. – Akron, Ohio, “Fired Again“ -1st edition Big Book.
Paul S. -Akron, Ohio, “Truth Freed Me!“ -1st edition Big Book.
Harold S. -Brooklyn, New York, “Smile With Me, At Me“ -1st edition Big Book.
Henry J. Z.? -Akron, Ohio, “A Close Shave.” -1st edition Big Book.
Norman H. -Darien, Connecticut, “Educated Agnostic“ -1st edition Big Book.
Ralph F. -Springfield, Massachusetts? Darien, Conn.?, “Another Prodigal Story“ -1st edition Big Book.
Myron W. -New York City, “Hindsight“ -1st edition Big Book.
Horace R. (Popsy) M. -New York City, “On His Way“ -1st edition Big Book.
Marie B. -Cleveland, Ohio, “An Alcoholic’s Wife“ -1st edition Big Book.
Ray C. -New York City, “An Artist’s Concept“ -1st edition Big Book.
Lloyd T. -New York City, “The Rolling Stone“ -1st edition Big Book.
Pat C. -Los Angeles, California, “Lone Endeavor“ -Big Book’s 1st edition, 1st printing only.
Second Edition Stories Removed
John P. -Tuscaloosa, Alabama, “The Professor and the Paradox” –Big Book’s 2nd edition.
Author Unknown –Canada, “His Conscience“ -Big Book’s 2nd edition.
Fred (last name?) -New York, “New Vision for a Sculptor“ -Big Book’s 2nd edition.
Joe M. -the Bronx, NY, “Joe’s Woes“ -Big Book’s 2nd edition.
Bill G. -New Jersey, “There’s Nothing the Matter With Me!“ -Big Book’s 2nd edition.
Annie C. -New York City, “Annie the Cop Fighter.” -Big Book’s 2nd edition.
Nancy F. -New York City, “The Independent Blonde“ -Big Book’s 2nd edition. Nancy’s interview with The Grapevine.
Pioneers of A.A.
Robert H. S., M.D. -Akron, Ohio, “The Doctor’s Nightmare“ in 1st edition, retitled in 2nd edition “Doctor Bob’s Nightmare” -All four Big Book editions.
Also see:Dr. Bob and Alcoholics Anonymous: Younger Years -by Dick B. -A new site devoted exclusively to facts about A.A. co-founder Robert Holbrook Smith, M.D. (Dr. Bob).
Bill D. -Akron, Ohio, “Alcoholics Anonymous Number Three” –2nd and 3rd Big Book editions. “The Man on the Bed”
Dick S. -Akron, Ohio,“The Car Smasher“ in 1st edition, rewritten & retitled: “He Had to be Shown“ in 2nd edition -All three Big Book editions.
Abby G. -Akron, Ohio, “He Thought He Could Drink like a Gentleman“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Margaret “Marty” M. -New York City and Connecticut, “Women Suffer Too” –2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Joe D. -Cleveland, Ohio, “The European Drinker“ in 1st edition, “The European Drinker” edited in 2nd edition -All three Big Book editions.
Jim B. -Washington, D.C., “The Vicious Cycle” –2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Jim S. -Akron, Ohio, “Traveler, Editor, Scholar“ in 1st edition, retitled and rewritten in 2nd edition “The News Hawk“ -All three Big Book editions.
Ethel M. -Akron, Ohio, “From Farm to City“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Archie T. -Grosse Point, Michigan, “The Fearful One“ in 1st edition, retitled and rewritten in 2nd edition, “The Man Who Mastered Fear” -All three Big Book editions.
Earl T. -Chicago, Illinois, “He Sold Himself Short“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Clarence S. -Cleveland, Ohio, “Home Brewmeister“ in 1st edition, “Home Brewmeister” edited in 2nd edition -All three Big Book editions.
Sylvia K. -Chicago, Illinois, “The Keys of the Kingdom“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
They Stopped in Time
Author Unknown -state?, city?, “Too Young?” -third Big Book edition.
Ceil F. -New York City, “Fear of Fear“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Cecil (Teet) C. – “Those Golden Years ” -third Big Book edition.
Author Unknown -state?, city?, “The Housewife Who Drank at Home“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Author Unknown -Lucknow, India, “Lifesaving Words” -third Big Book edition.
Lisa -Washington State, “A Teen-ager’s Decision” -third Big Book edition.
Dr. Earle M. -San Francisco Bay Area, CA, “Physician Heal Thyself!“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Pete W. -Pittsburgh, PA., “Rum, Radio and Rebellion“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Author Unknown – “Any Day Was Washday” -third Big Book edition.
Chet R. – “It Might Have Been Worse“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Esther E. – “A Flower of the South” –2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Author Unknown – “Calculating the Costs” -third Big Book edition.
Harris K. – “Growing Up All Over Again” -third Big Book edition.
Author Unknown -Chicago, Illinois, “Unto the Second Generation“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Felicia G. -New York City, “Stars Don’t Fall“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions..
Author Unknown – “Me an Alcoholic?“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Dr. Paul O. -Laguna Niguel, California, “Doctor, Alcoholic, Addict” -third Big Book edition. Dr. Paul’s interview with The Grapevine.
They Lost Nearly All
Morris B. -Long Island, New York, “A Five-Time Loser Wins“ -third Big Book edition.
Helen B. -New York, “Promoted to Chronic“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Author Unknown – “Belle of the Bar” -third Big Book edition.
Jim S. -Washington, D.C., “Jim’s Story” -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
John Henry F. (Fitz) M. -Cumberstone, Maryland, “Our Southern Friend” in 1st edition, edited in 2nd edition “Our Southern Friend“ -All three Big Book editions.
Pat M. – New York City, “Desperation Drinking” -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Author Unknown -New York City, “The Prisoner Freed“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Sackville O’C. M. -Dublin, Ireland, “The Career Officer“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Bertha V. – “Another Chance” -third Big Book edition.
E.B.R. “Bob” -New York City, “He Who Loses His Life“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Wynn C. L. -California, “Freedom From Bondage“ -2nd and 3rd Big Book editions.
Bob P. – “A.A. Taught Him to Handle Sobriety” -third Big Book edition.
Fourth Edition Big Book Story Authors
Jane D. -Philadelphia, “Student Of Life“, on page 319 of the Fourth Edition Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Dave B. – Montreal, Quebec, Canada, “Gratitude in Action“, on page 193 of the Fourth Edition Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.