Personal Stories — First Edition (1939)
From the Original First Edition (1939)
1. The Doctor’s Nightmare
The story of Dr. Bob, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.
2. The Unbeliever
A pioneer story of finding faith and recovery in early AA.
3. The European Drinker
Personal recovery account from the original 1939 AA text.
4. A Feminine Victory
A pioneer story of a woman's journey to sobriety in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous.
5. Our Southern Friend
The story of a Southern gentleman's struggle and eventual spiritual awakening.
6. A Business Man's Recovery
How a successful professional reclaimed his life from chronic alcoholism.
7. A Different Slant
A short but powerful account of a unique perspective on the AA program.
8. Traveler, Editor, Scholar
The journey of an intellectual and world traveler finding sobriety.
9. The Back-Slider
An honest look at the struggle of backsliding and finding the strength to return.
10. Home Brewmeister
The story of a man whose drinking escalated during the era of home-made beer.
11. The Seventh Month Slip
An account of early sobriety and the lessons learned from a slip.
12. My Wife and I
A story highlighting the impact of alcoholism on marriage and the power of joint recovery.
13. A Ward of the Probate Court
A journey from legal consequences to spiritual freedom.
14. Riding the Rods
The story of a wandering alcoholic finding a home in the fellowship.
15. The Salesman
A classic account of a salesman's journey from the road to the rooms of AA.
16. Fired Again
Addressing the cycle of losing jobs due to drinking.
17. The Fearful One
Addressing the deep-seated fears that drive alcoholism.
18. Truth Freed Me!
How honesty and truth became the foundation for a new life.
19. Smile with Me, At Me
A story about learning to not take oneself too seriously in recovery.
20. A Close Shave
A harrowing story of near misses and final recovery.
21. Educated Agnostic
How intellectual pride and agnosticism were overcome.
22. Another Prodigal Story
A moving account of returning to a life of sanity.
23. The Car Smasher
The story of an alcoholic whose path of destruction ended in AA.
24. Hindsight
Looking back at a life of drinking from a recovered perspective.
25. On His Way
A story of progress and the ongoing journey of the AA way of life.
26. An Alcoholic’s Wife
The unique perspective of a spouse in the early AA community.
27. An Artist's Concept
How an artist found a power greater than himself.
28. The Rolling Stone
The story of a man who traveled far but couldn't outrun his drinking.
29. Now We Are Thousands
The concluding story of the first edition, reflecting on the growth of the movement.