COMPARISON OF FIRST EDITION
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (14th printing)
WITH SECOND EDITION
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (16TH printing)
word changes, additions & omissions
(note: vii-1-1,2 = page, paragraph, line or lines)
1st vii-1-1,2 Anonymous, are many thousands of men and
2nd xiii-1-1,2 Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and
1st vii-2-1,2 remain anonymous in order to more effectively handle the
2nd xiii-2-2 remain anonymous because we are to few, at present to handle the
1st vii-2-4,5 professional folk some of us could not carry on our occupations if known.
2nd xii-2-5,6 professional folk, we could not well carry on our
occupations in such an event.
1st viii-2-2,3 (The Alcoholic Foundation, Grand Central Annex Post Box 459, New York City (17).)
2nd
1st The Doctor’s Opinion starts on page 1
2nd The Doctor’s Opinion starts on page xxiii
1st 2,3 (Signed)—–M.D.
2nd xxiv-3 William D. Silkworth, M.D.
1st 8-1-2,3 prominent in New York City.
2nd xxix-3-2 prominent in New York.
1st 9 no signature block
2nd xxx signature block, William D. Silkworth, M.D.
1st 23-4-3 to the Father of Lights who presides
2nd 14-1-3 to the Father of Light who presides
1st 27-1-3 All have recovered.
2nd 17-1-3 Nearly all have recovered.
1st 28-3-1,2 dealt with us found it sometimes
2nd 18-3-1,2 dealt with us have found it sometimes
1st 28-5-8,9 the conditions we found most effective.
2nd 18-5-9 the conditions we have found most effective.
1st 33-2-11 a headache, beat himself on
2nd 23-2-11 a headache, beats himself on
1st 33-2-12 that he couldn’t feel the
2nd 23-1-12 that he can,t feel the
1st 34-2-2 happy day will seldom arrive.
2nd 23-4-2 happy day may not arrive.
1st 36-2-5,6 a celebrated physician who prescribed
2nd 26-1-5,6 a celebrated physician (the psychiatrist, Dr. Jung) who prescribed
1st 39-3-2,3 followed by more than a score of personal experiences.
2nd 29-1-2,3 followed by three dozen personal experiences.
1st 41-3-2,3 real alcoholic ever recovered control.
2nd 30-3-3 real alcoholic ever recovers control.
1st 42-1-6 always by still worse
2nd 30-4-6 always by a still worse
1st 51-2-9 personal problems, that I
2nd 40-2-9 personal problems, and that I
1st 52-2-12 New York, of finding
2nd 41-1-12 New York, and of finding
1st 56-2-5 spiritual basis-not always
2nd 44-2-5 spiritual basis are not always
1st 56-3-1,2 half our fellowship were
2nd 44-3-1,2 half our original fellowship were
1st 59-1-10 That is growth, but
2nd 47-1-10,11 That was growth, but
1st 62-2-5 Experience has taught that these
2nd 50-2-5,6 Experience has taught us that these
1st 63-1-10 The contemporaries
2nd 51-1-10 Some of the contemporaries
1st 64-2-2,3 to change the point of
2nd 52-2-2,3 to change our point of
1st 65-1-1,2 problems by simple reliance
2nd 52-3-1,2 problems by a simple reliance
1st 65-1-2 Spirit of this universe, we
2nd 52-3-2 Spirit of the Universe, we
1st 69-3-3 very night seven years ago it
2nd 56-5-3 very night, years ago, it
1st 72-2-(c) That God could and would if sought.
2nd 60-2-(c) That God could and would if He were sought.
1st 72-4-1 requirement was that we
2nd 60-4-1 requirement is that we
1st 72-4-10 as he wishes, the show
2nd 60-4-10 as he wished, the show
1st 74-2-7 self without Him.
2nd 62-2-7,8 self without His aid.
1st 74-3-4 are His agent.
2nd 62-3-4 are His agents.
1st 88-1-6 Should we still
2nd 76-1-6 If we still
1st 93-1-10 all happened three years ago.
2nd 80-4-10,11 all happened years ago.
1st 94-3-1 Should we have
2nd 82-2-1 If we have
1st 96-1-2 amazed before half through.
2nd 83-4-2,3 amazed before we are half way through.
1st 96-1-3 freedom and happiness.
2nd 83-4-3,4 freedom and a new happiness.
1st 96-1-5 serenity and know peace.
2nd 83-4-6 serenity and we will know peace.
1st 100-2-9 did when trying to
2nd 87-3-9,10 did when we were trying to
1st 104-2-7 brand him an alcoholic.
2nd 92-1-7,8 brand him as an alcoholic.
1st 104-3-1 alcoholism as a sickness, a
2nd 92-2-1 alcoholism as an illness, a
1st 104-3-15,16 If he does not ask, proceed with the rest of your story.
2nd
1st 113-3-4,5 place like Greenland Ice
2nd 101-1-4,5 place like the Greenland Ice
1st 113-4-4 time, but usually winds
2nd 101-2-4,5 time, but he usually winds
1st 121-1-2 of every girl who has
2nd 108-1-2 of every woman who has
1st 126-2-5,6 knows that over a hundred men, much
2nd 113-1-5,6 knows that thousands of men, much
1st 127-2-13,14,15,16 During 1939 two state hospitals in New Jersey released 17 alcoholics. Eleven have had no relapse whatever- none of them have returned to the asylum.
2nd 114-1-14,15,16 Since this book was first published, A.A. has released thousands of alcoholics from asylums and hospitals of every kind. The majority have never returned.
1st 127-3-7,8 but not less than the
2nd 114-2-7,8 but not more than the
1st 128-4-5,6 be self-conscious, nor feel that
2nd 115-2-5,6 be self-conscious or feel that
1st 133-2-5 infinitely better he have
2nd 120-1-5 infinitely better that he have
1st 134-3-7 you understand, that you
2nd 121-1-7 you understand, and that you
1st 138-1-8 deal but almost invariably
2nd 125-1-8,9 deal, but we almost invariably
1st 138-2-6 or ridicule of him coming from
2nd 125-2-6 or ridicule coming from
1st 143-2-8 on earth, nevertheless.
2nd 130-1-8 on earth.
1st 144-1-14 other and come to a
2nd 130-3-14 other and comes to a
1st 147-3-8,9 psychologist if this condition persists.
2nd 134-1-9 psychologist if the condition persists.
1st 147-3-9,10 know of any case where this
2nd 134-1-10 know of many cases where this
1st 148-2-3,4 morning meditation, then they
2nd 134-3-3,4 morning meditation and then they
1st 148-3-3,4 status beyond a shadow of
2nd 135-1-3,4 status beyond the shadow of
1st 150-1-1,2 One of our friends, whose gripping story you will read, has spent
2nd 136-1-1,2 Among many employers nowadays, we think of one member who has spent
1st 156-2-8 get well immediately?
2nd 142-1-8 get well?
1st 161-1-8 about him at all, that you
2nd 146-3-8,9 about him, that you
1st 162-1-9 If you do, your past
2nd 147-3-9 If you take it, your past
1st 168-1-1 Nearly ten years ago, one of
2nd 153-4-1 Years ago, in 1935, one of
1st 168-1-2,3 From the business standpoint,
2nd 153-4-2,3 From a business standpoint,
1st 168-4-2,3 Then after all,
2nd 154-3-3 After all,
1st 170-5-4,5 in here six times in the last four months.
2nd 156-4-4,5 in here eight times in the last six months.
1st 173-2-3,4 his first acquaintance, the lawyer
2nd 159-2-3,4 his first acquaintances, the lawyer
1st 174-2-7,8 lips of men like their husbands
2nd 160-1-8 lips of their husbands
1st 175-3-6,7 too discredited, nor has sunk
2nd 161-2-7 too discredited or has sunk
1st 176-1-9 belief in our work.
2nd 161-3-9 belief in ours.
1st 177-3-1 We know a former alcoholic who was
2nd 163-2-1 We know of an A.A. member who was
1st 177-3-5 this writing.
2nd 163-2-5,6 this writing. (1939)
1st
2nd 570-4 “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance–that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”
-Herbert Spencer
appearance, capitalization, punctuation & spelling
1st vii-1-4,5 PRECISELY HOW WE HAVE RECOVERED
2nd xii-1-4,5 precisely how we have recovered
1st vii-3-3 A Member
2nd xii-3-4 a member
1st 11-2-8 securities
2nd 2-2-8,9 securities,
1st 33-2-1 drink
2nd 23-1-2 drink,
1st 33-3-9 some day
2nd 23-2-8 someday
1st 34-3-3 non-existent
2nd 24-1-3 nonexistent
1st 34-3-4 unable
2nd 24-1-4 unable,
1st 35-1-8 stop,
2nd 24-4-8 stop
1st 35-2-11 existence,
2nd 25-1-12 existence
1st 35-3-1 that
2nd 25-2-1 That
1st 35-3-2 experiences,
2nd 25-2-2 experiences
1st 35-3-4 fellows,
2nd 25-2-4 fellows
1st 36-1-6 one
2nd 25-3-6 One
1st 36-2-11 springs,
2nd 26-2-12 springs
1st 37-1-4 key,
2nd 26-3-5 key
1st 37-2-2 bodyguard,
2nd 26-4-2 bodyguard
1st 38-4-6 learned, and felt, and seen,
2nd 28-2-6 learned and felt and seen
1st 39-2-2 alcoholism
2nd 28-4-2 alcoholism,
1st 39-2-4 members; surprisingly
2nd 28-4-4 members. Surprisingly
1st 41-3-3 ever
2nd 30-3-3 ever
1st 42-2-5 anyone,
2nd 31-1-5 anyone
1st 42-2-6 drinking,
2nd 31-1-6 drinking
1st 43-3-9 years,
2nd 32-2-9 years
1st 43-3-22 quickly,
2nd 32-2-23 quickly
1st 44-1-6 “once
2nd 33-1-6 “Once
1st 46-1-5 suffers,
2nd 34-3-5 suffers
1st 46-2-3 Friends,
2nd 35-1-3 Friends
1st 46-2-5 bankruptcy,
2nd 35-1-5 bankruptcy
1st 46-3-4 world war
2nd 35-2-4 World War
1st 47-1-11 familiar,
2nd 36-1-12 familiar
1st 47-2-2 milk,
2nd 36-2-2 milk
1st 47-2-5 reassured,
2nd 36-2-5 reassured
1st 51-1-4 instructive
2nd 40-1-4 instructive,
1st 52-2-14 went,
2nd 41-1-15 went
1st 55-1-1 the
2nd 43-1-1 The
1st ont>
2nd 43-1-5 Higher Power
1st 56-1-5 if,
2nd 44-1-5 if
1st 57-2-3 A Power Greater Than Ourselves.
2nd 45-1-3 a Power greater than ourselves.
1st 57-3-3 yourself,
2nd 45-2-3 yourself
1st 58-2-6 A
2nd 46-2-6 a
1st 58-2-12 forbidding,
2nd 46-2-12 forbidding
1st 59-1-11 grow,
2nd 47-1-11 grow
1st 62-3-2 Everyone
2nd 50-3-2 Every one
1st 62-4-8 Power
2nd 50-4-9 power
1st 62-4-17 The
2nd 50-4-18 the
1st 63-2-2 are
2nd 51-2-1 Are
1st 63-2-5 Brothers
2nd 51-2-5 brothers’
1st 65-2-1 Brothers’
2nd 52-4-1 brothers’
1st 67-1-5 points:
2nd 54-2-5 points,
1st 68-1-4 then if you wish
2nd 55-4-4 then, if you wish,
1st 69-1-1,2 “WHO ARE YOU TO SAY THERE IS NO GOD?”
2nd 56-3-1 “Who are you to say there is no God?”
1st 69-3-3 night seven years ago
2nd 56-5-3 night, years ago,
1st 70-4-3 That
2nd 58-4-3 that
1st 71-2-3 Program of Recovery
2nd 59-2-2 program of recovery
1st 72-(12)-2 steps
2nd 60-(12)-2 steps,
1st 74-1-5 seemingly,
2nd 62-1-5 seemingly
1st 74-1-7 self,
2nd 62-1-7 self
1st 74-3-4 Principal,
2nd 62-3-4 Principal;
1st 78-2-5 whose
2nd 66-1-5 whose,
1st 79-3-4 ourselves were sick,
2nd 66-4-4 ourselves, were sick
1st 80-1-1 fear
2nd 67-3-3 “fear”
1st 82-1-5 God-given,
2nd 69-2-5 God-given
1st 84-1-11 fifth step in the Program of Recovery
2nd 72-1-12 Fifth Step in the program of recovery
1st 85-3-4 truth,
2nd 73-3-4 truth
1st 86-2-1 cannot,
2nd 74-1-1 cannot
1st 88-1-2 step six.
2nd 76-1-2 Step Six.
1st 88-2-7 Amen.
2nd 76-2-7 Amen.”
1st 88-3-2,3 steps eight and nine.
2nd 76-3-2,3 Steps Eight and Nine.
1st 90-2-3 fault;
2nd 78-1-3 fault,
1st 91 2-7 reputation,
2nd 79-1-7 reputation
1st 92-1-2 jail,
2nd 79-3-2 jail
1st 92-2-4 help,
2nd 92-2-4 help
1st 94-2-9 flank,
2nd 82-1-10 flank
1st 96-3-1 step ten
2nd 84-2-1 Step Ten
1st 97-1-13 cocky,
2nd 84-3-14 cocky
1st 99-1-6 assurance
2nd 86-2-6 assurance,
1st 99-1-7 thought life
2nd 86-2-8 thought-life
1st 99-2-12 Nevertheless
2nd 86-3-13 Nevertheless,
1st 100-5-3 step twelve.
2nd 88-3-3 Step Twelve.
1st 103-1-5 doctor if he will
2nd 91-1-6 doctor, if he will,
1st 104-2-5 Don’t at this stage
2nd 92-1-5 Don’t, at this stage,
1st 104-3-8 alcoholism,
2nd 92-2-8 alcoholism
1st 105-1-4 conceptions,
2nd 93-1-4 conceptions
1st 105-2-6 worked,
2nd 93-2-6 worked
1st 105-2-14 it,
2nd 93-2-14 it
1st 106-1-2,3 past,
2nd 94-1-2,3 past
1st 106-1-13 again,
2nd 94-1-13 again
1st 106-2-7 fellowship
2nd 94-2-8 Fellowship
1st 107-1-11 hilltop,
2nd 95-1-11 hilltop;
1st 108-2-10 fellowship
2nd 96-1- Fellowship
1st 108-3-3,4 twelve steps of The Program of Recovery.
2nd 96-2-3,4 Twelve Steps of the program of recovery.
1st 109-1-11 destruction,
2nd 96-3-11 destruction
1st 110-1-4 accept,
2nd 97-3-4 accept
1st 110-3-9 job
2nd 98-1-9 Job
1st 111-3-5 resumed,
2nd 99-2-5 resumed
1st 113-4-3 himself,
2nd 101-2-4 himself
1st 115-1-3 anywhere,
2nd 102-2-3 anywhere
1st 115-1-6 motives,
2nd 102-2-6 motives
1st 116-1-1 Someday
2nd 103-2-1 Some day
1st 117-3-1 relatives,
2nd 104-3-1 relatives
1st 117-5-3 misunderstanding,
2nd 104-5-3 misunderstanding
1st 118-1-1 loyalty,
2nd 105-1-1 loyalty
1st 118-2-5 while,
2nd 105-2-5 while
1st 118-2-7 could,
2nd 105-2-8 could
1st 119-3-1,2 collectors; the sheriffs; the angry taxi drivers; the policemen; the bums; the pals;
2nd 106-2-1,2 collectors, the sheriffs, the angry taxi drivers, the policemen, the bums, the pals,
1st 123-1-2 two,
2nd 109-2-2 two
1st 123-1-4 near-wreck,
2nd 109-2-4 near-wreck
1st 123-2-3 insane,
2nd 110-1-3 insane
1st 124-1-3,4 unbearable,
2nd 111-1-2,3 unbearable
1st 124-3-6 happy,
2nd 111-3-6 happy
1st 125-1-2 book,
2nd 111-5-2 book
1st 126-2-2 luke-warm,
2nd 113-1-2 lukewarm
1st 126-2-11 him,
2nd 113-1-11 him
1st 126-3-5 book,
2nd 113-2-5 book
1st 127-1-2 hopeless;
2nd 113-3-2 hopeless,
1st 127-2-7 institution
2nd 114-1-8 institution,
1st 127-3-3 cannot,
2nd 114-2-3 cannot
1st 128-1-3 life,
2nd 114-3-3 life
1st 128-4-8 nature,
2nd 115-2-8 nature
1st 129-2-2 Frequently
2nd 115-4-1 Frequently,
1st 129-2-6 people,
2nd 115-4-6 people
1st 130-2-2 drink,
2nd 117-1-2 drink
1st 130-3-5 earnest,
2nd 117-2-5 earnest
1st 131-1-2 hurt-feelings,
2nd 117-3-2 hurt feelings
1st 131-3-4 understanding,
2nd 118-2-4 understanding
1st 132-1-5,6 not, for
2nd 118-3-6 not for,
1st 132-2-4,5 book, or the work of another alcoholic, has
2nd 118-4-4,5 book or the work of another alcoholic has
1st 132-2-14 problem,
2nd 118-4-14 problem
1st 133-1-9 life,
2nd 119-2-9 life
1st 133-2-2 beautifully,
2nd 120-1-2 beautifully
1st 134-2-1 life,
2nd 120-3-1 life
1st 134-2-7 problem,
2nd 120-3-7 problem
1st 135 2-4 life,
2nd 122-2-4 life
1st 136-1-6 thoughtful,
2nd 123-1-6 thoughtful
1st 136-4-4 shameful,
2nd 123-4-4 shameful
1st 137-1-7 family,
2nd 124-1-7 family
1st 137-2-8 help,
2nd 124-2-8 help
1st 137-3-12 pride,
2nd 124-3-12 pride
1st 138-1-2 others
2nd 125-1-3 others’
1st 138-1-8 deal
2nd 125-1-8 deal,
1st 139-2-9 affectionate,
2nd 126-1-9 affectionate
1st 141-1-5 self-justification,
2nd 127-3-5 self-justification
1st 141-1-2 Over-night
2nd 128-1-2 Overnight
1st 142-3-4 person,
2nd 129-2-4 person
1st 143-2-12 experience,
2nd 130-1-12 experience
1st 144-1-6 himself,
2nd 130-3-6 himself
1st 145-1-2 there,
2nd 131-2-3 there
1st 145-1-10 with,
2nd 131-2-10 with
1st 145-2-6 friends,
2nd 131-3-6 friends
1st 145-2-14 others
2nd 131-3-15 others’
1st 145-3-12 others,
2nd 132-1-13 others
1st 146-3-2 overnight,
2nd 133-1-2 overnight
1st 147-3-4 stopped,
2nd 134-1-4 stopped
1st 149-2-2,3 “FIRST THINGS FIRST” “LIVE AND LET LIVE” and “EASY DOES IT.”
2nd 135-2-3,4,5
First Things First
Live and Let Live
Easy Does It.
1st 152-1-4 bank,
2nd 138-1-4 bank
1st 152-1-8 was:
2nd 138-1-9 was,
1st 153-3-3 drinker,
2nd 139-2-3 drinker
1st 153-3-9 things,
2nd 139-2-9 things
1st 154-1-9 humanitarian, or business,
2nd 139-4-9 humanitarian or business
1st 154-2-3 difficulty
2nd 140-1-3 difficulty,
1st 155-1-6 discharged:
2nd 141-1-7 discharged,
1st 155-1-11,12 me, for
2nd 141-1-12 me for,
1st 155-3-2 drinking,
2nd 141-3-2 drinking
1st 156-2-8 ask
2nd 142-1-8 ask,
1st 158-1-3 concerned,
2nd 143-2-3 concerned
1st 159-1-3 understand,
2nd 144-4-3 understand
1st 159-2-3 account,
2nd 145-1-4 account
1st 159-2-6 solution,
2nd 145-1-6 solution
1st 159-4-3,4 business, there will be rivalries,
2nd 145-3-3,4 business there will be rivalries
1st 160-1-6 first, but
2nd 145-4-6 first but,
1st 160-1-6 bill-boarded
2nd 145-4-6 billboarded
1st 161-1-8 suspicious,
2nd 146-3-9 suspicious
1st 161-1-11 Program of Recovery
2nd 146-3-11 program of recovery
1st 162-1-11 cannot,
2nd 147-3-11 cannot
1st 162-2 2 not,
2nd 148-1-2 not
1st 162-3-3 cannot,
2nd 148-2-3 cannot
1st 162-4-4 cannot,
2nd 148-3-4 cannot
1st 162-4-9 worth-while
2nd 148-3-10 worthwhile
1st 163-1-1 vice-president
2nd 148-4-1,2 vice president
1st 163-1-7 us, for
2nd 148-4-7 us for,
1st 164-1-2 vice-president
2nd 149-2-2,3 vice president
1st 164-3-1 Today,
2nd 149-4-1 Today
1st 165-1-2 companionship,
2nd 151-1-2 companionship
1st 165-1-2 boredom,
2nd 151-1-2 boredom
1st 165-1-4 friends,
2nd 151-1-4 friends
1st 166-2-1 substitute,
2nd 152-2-1 substitute
1st 166-2-2 Fellowship
2nd 152-2-2 fellowship
1st 166-2-3 boredom,
2nd 152-2-3 boredom
1st 166-2-6 The Fellowship
2nd 152-2-6 the fellowship
1st 166-4-2 you
2nd 152-4-2 you,
1st 166-4-5 Fellows
2nd 152-4-5 fellows
1st 166-4-10 yourself,
2nd 152-4-10 yourself
1st 167-2-5 Fellowships
2nd 153-2-6 fellowships
1st 167-3-7 Fellowship
2nd 153-3-7 fellowship
1st 168-3-7 acquaintance,
2nd 154-2-8 acquaintance
1st 168-4-1 course,
2nd 154-3-1 course
1st 169-1-5 returned,
2nd 154-4-5 returned
1st 169-2-4 situation:
2nd 155-1-4 situation;
1st 169-2-5 arrears,
2nd 155-1-5 arrears
1st 169-2-7 out;
2nd 155-1-7 out,
1st 169-3-10 family,
2nd 155-2-11 family
1st 170-1-6 squarely,
2nd 155-3-6 squarely
1st 171-1-1 right,
2nd 156-5-1 right
1st 171-2-1 Fellow
2nd 157-1-2 fellow
1st 173-2-4 lawyer,
2nd 159-2-4 lawyer
1st 175-1-10 The
2nd 160-3-10 the
1st 175-2-6 Fellows
2nd 161-1-6 fellows
1st 178-1-4 Fellows
2nd 163-4-4 fellows
1st 178-2-5 Fellowship
2nd 164-1-5 fellowship
1st 178-4-4 find,
2nd 164-3-4 find
1st 178-4-5 you, in the Fellowship of The
2nd 164-4-5 you in the Fellowship of the