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Post Info TOPIC: The Little Red Book: The Original 1946 Edition
FLH Press


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The Little Red Book: The Original 1946 Edition
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Hello all,

Just spreading the word that our organization, The Full Length History Press, has republished a lost recovery classic, the first edition of The Little Red Book. It's part of our mission to get oldtimer A.A. literature into the hands of today's A.A. members. We're carrying the message to alcoholics, not making money, so the book is available at cost through Amazon and from our site flh-press.blogspot.com

Here's a little history:

Minneapolis record indicates that 75% are successful in A.A.
- The A.A. Grapevine, August 1946

In 1942, Ed W. began teaching the Twelve Step Study classes that helped the Minneapolis Group achieve their 75% recovery rate. Then in 1946, he and Barry C. (The first sober A.A. in the state) published the lectures used for these classes as a book. Initially titled The Twelve Steps, it was affectionately nicknamed the little red book.
Back in print for the first time in more than 65 years, the original 1946 edition, which differs significantly from the modern version, reveals firsthand how some of A.A.s earliest members made the program their way of life. Everyone from newcomers to oldtimers will find a wealth of practical experience in this comprehensive guide to the Twelve Steps.

Praise for the 1946 edition of The Little Red Book:
I have enjoyed your little book very much & know that it will prove to be of a lot of help to many.
- Dr. Bob, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous
From a letter to Ed W., dated December 29th, 1946

Everybody who has read it seems to like it very much which of course was to be expected!
- Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous
From a letter to Ed W., dated November 14th, 1946



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odat


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Tradition 7 in AA says we are fully self-supporting.
This means I only buy literature from AA Worldwide Services.


I feel the need to stand up for AA Traditions.
We already have our own organization. 



-- Edited by odat on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 06:32:07 AM

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Rob84


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Thanks for the info. I really like the Little Red book, but have only seen the current version. $3.74 seems like a good value, the current version is about $12.00 through Hazelden and out local cental office.



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Rob

"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Pythonpappy


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I've had my 'Little Red Book' for about 20 years ... I find it very helpful and inspiring ... I think it's a shame for it not to be on the approved literature list ... but that's just me ...



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Fyne Spirit


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Thanks.

What would be the best way to get one in New Zealand?

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Fyne Spirit

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Pythonpappy


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odat wrote:

Tradition 7 in AA says we are fully self-supporting.
This means I only buy literature from AA Worldwide Services.


I feel the need to stand up for AA Traditions.
We already have our own organization. 



-- Edited by odat on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 06:32:07 AM

 I'm not sure why this bothers me, but here goes ... ... ... I also stand behind the 12 Traditions, and I would NOT want anything to change the way our AA literature has been presented over the years because it works and I would not want to tamper with something that works ... However ... there IS a lot of literature available that fully support our AA ideals and help enhance our recovery ... SO, I feel a person would be VERY narrow minded to limit themselves to 'only AA Conference approved' material ... ... ... 

There are many great books that help us to deepen our 'spiritual connection' to a higher power ... Heck, the Bible is a great example, it's not on the 'approved literature' list, but I find many great lessons in that book to improve my spirituality ... I think it very callous to be so rigid that the only books we should concern ourselves with in recovery are only those that are 'conference approved' ... 

Just my opinion ... and it oughtta be yours, LOL ... ... ... ... 

 

Love ya and God Bless,

Pappy



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Rob84


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Fyne Spirit wrote:

Thanks.

What would be the best way to get one in New Zealand?

 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1491209968/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=fullenhispr0f-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1491209968&adid=060K3D58N27Z27P92QC8&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fflh-press.blogspot.com%2F

Mike,

Here is the link from Amazon to order the book.  It looks like they have a NZ country option for shipping.



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Rob

"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Rob84


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Pythonpappy wrote:
 

 I'm not sure why this bothers me, but here goes ... ... ... I also stand behind the 12 Traditions, and I would NOT want anything to change the way our AA literature has been presented over the years because it works and I would not want to tamper with something that works ... However ... there IS a lot of literature available that fully support our AA ideals and help enhance our recovery ... SO, I feel a person would be VERY narrow minded to limit themselves to 'only AA Conference approved' material ... ... ... 

There are many great books that help us to deepen our 'spiritual connection' to a higher power ... Heck, the Bible is a great example, it's not on the 'approved literature' list, but I find many great lessons in that book to improve my spirituality ... I think it very callous to be so rigid that the only books we should concern ourselves with in recovery are only those that are 'conference approved' ... 

Just my opinion ... and it oughtta be yours, LOL ... ... ... ... 

 

Love ya and God Bless,

Pappy

 Good stuff Pappy.  Are you sure you live in GA?   People don't realize that there where people sober in AA recovery before there was a "book" or a conference to approve or disapprove the materials they where reading and writing to help stay sober. 

Many of these early AA's wrote books and pamplets that are not part of the conference stuff for some reason. If you google Akron or Cleveland AA central office there are a lot of good old time pamplets and books still available to order and they are still used on a local level.



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Rob

"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Pythonpappy


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Hi Rob, ...

Yep, you know for a fact that I live in Ga. ... LOL ... but that will change soon enough, going to move back to Tn. as soon as we can swing it ... my wife got transferred to Tn. a couple weeks ago so here we go ... THIS is really an answer to our prayers because of our two handicapped sons ... constant travel between here and there has been a big strain to say the least ... I really love the house we have now but I think God has allowed this for us in our 'best interest' ...

Back on subject, I think I understand what Susan (Odat) is trying to say, but I didn't see it the way she presented it ... There is literature out there that can skew the AA program's content to the point it leads us in the wrong direction, AND I understand that can serve to mislead 'new-comers' ... so with that in mind, I DO stress the basics for new folk ... and when they've had some 'time' in the program, then I always try to get my sponsees to 'expand' their knowledge and their spiritual well-being by reading other literature ... to me?, this helps keep things fresh and interesting, instead of getting stagnant ... my aim here is 'growth' ... and my view is that if you limit yourself to only 'conference approved' literature, then you're going to get bored at some point and start saying, 'is that all there is?' ... I think staying active is a key part of continued sobriety ...


Love you guys and God Bless,
Pappy



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StPeteDean


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I like a lot of the old printings, some are a bit archaic, like the Akron pamphlets lol, but still awesome reading. Nothing wrong with Odat's belief in AA approved literature, as long
as she doesn't expect me to abide by it. If it's keeping her sober, that's a good thing.

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Fyne Spirit


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Rob84 wrote:

 Good stuff Pappy.  Are you sure you live in GA?   People don't realize that there where people sober in AA recovery before there was a "book" or a conference to approve or disapprove the materials they where reading and writing to help stay sober. 

Many of these early AA's wrote books and pamplets that are not part of the conference stuff for some reason. If you google Akron or Cleveland AA central office there are a lot of good old time pamplets and books still available to order and they are still used on a local level.

 Thanks for the link Rob. When I have researched some AA history I found that the rates of recovery in Ohio were off the scale, close to 100%. I'm always interested to know what they did to achieve this and I am sure the archives and these types of publications can still yield great ideas that can be used today.

While many feel the old practices are outdated, there is one common outcome today. We no longer do what they did, and we no longer get the results they got. Whether the two are linked, I couldn't say, but I know in recent years there has been something of a revival of the old ways, particularly the Big Book, and the recovery rate and state of the fellowship seems to be improving as a result.

God bless,

MikeH

 



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Pythonpappy


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Hey Mike, ... My research shows this guy has the probable answer to your question ... check it out when you have time !!!

http://www.dickb.com/



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Tanin


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I like the Little Red Book. Picked one up somewhere early in sobriety and used it. Then it lay on the top shelf of my bookcase undisturbed for a long time. For some reason I was reading about the "sanity" in Step 2 and consulted with the LRB. For those who have a problem with being classified as "insane" per Step 2, it suggested (temporarily) rephrasing the step to be:

Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sane behavior.

That really made a lot of sense to me and I explained it that way to a fellow I was helping through the steps.

Sometimes, rewriting or rephrasing a step or a principle can be helpful in understanding a true meaning of the words in the BB. The pioneers who wrote and edited it in 1938-39 didn't intend to make it some kind of sacred Bible. It's meant to be  interpreted and augmented for the purpose of recovery from alcoholism.  And that's where the LRB comes in, same as many other AA-related publications.

BTW. there is nothing in Tradition 7 that directs (or even suggests) AA groups or AA members to buy only certain books or publications. Buy and read whatever you want, whatever helps. Personally, I am enjoying reading the historical publications lately. They add quite a bit to my understanding of what the BB and the 12 & 12 said.

 

 


 



-- Edited by Tanin on Sunday 1st of September 2013 10:34:14 AM

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FLH Press


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The book can also be ordered from Amazon UK ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Little-Red-Book-Original/dp/1491209968/ ), and from any of the European Amazon sites.

If anyone encounters difficulty ordering a copy in your home country, let us know at full.length.history.press@gmail.com, and we'll try our best to work it out.

We're eager to pass the valuable old-timer wisdom found in this book on to as many of today's members as possible. We would be highly interested in hearing what your experiences are with the book, especially your successes using it in sponsorship or at meetings. We're a bunch of alkies ourselves, and want only to be of service.

In fellowship,

The Full Length History Press



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Pythonpappy


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Thanks FLH for your desire to promote good recovery ... I am grateful for ya'll making certain, 'hard to find' literature available to those who want to improve their recovery ...

@ Great post Pickle ... thank you



-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Sunday 1st of September 2013 08:22:51 AM

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Leslieshannon


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Hi I'm interested in purchasing a copy of The Little Red Book: The Original 1946 Edition, but it appears to be no longer available on Amazon. Can I purchase one directly from your Press? Thank you very much, Leslie S.



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Pythonpappy


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Sorry I couldn't respond earlier ... Welcome to MIP 1st of all Leslie ...

I just happen to have gotten wheeled away in an ambulance Wed. nite ... had a stroke and was by myself, couldn't talk where anybody could understand me ... long story ...

Anyway, ... if you would still like a copy of 'The Little Red Book' I'll be glad to check around here locally if you wish ... just PM me pertinent info if I find it ... but you'll have to let me know if you still want it before I go looking for it ... It's really no problem since I'll be go'n to the Dr.s for a long time to come ... LOL


Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy



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recoveryrehab


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May be worth mentioning that the value of conference approved literature is that it is deemed to represent the whole of AA's experience, not just one individual or group or area.
That means anyone reading it is tapping into a source of experience that covers the whole of AA, not just one or two individuals thoughts and opinions. Any literature can be helpful to anyone ( or not ! ) but in an AA sense I have always found it helpful to put it in context of experience v opinions.

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lulu59


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"The grouch and theblankstare brainstorm were not for us"



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lulu59
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Welcome Lulu59, .... glad you found us ... looking forward to you sharing your ESH with us here ...


Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy



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Leslieshannon


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Hi Pappy I was so sorry to hear about what happened thank you for replying to me in the midst of all of what you're going through. I found a little red book from the 50s that I'm happy with so don't worry about looking for it I'm content with what I have sending you prayers and Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

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Pythonpappy


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Hi Leslie,

Thank you so much for the prayers ... I'm confident they're the only reason I'm still among the living ...

Happy to know that you found a copy of 'The Little Red Book' ... I may just start looking in some book stores to see if I can grab a couple ... to have on hand for the next person that desires to have one ...


Love you and God Bless, don't be a stranger,
Pappy



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