Personal Stories — Second Edition (1955)
From the Original First Edition (1955)
1. Pioneers of A.A.
An introduction to the early members who formed the first A.A. groups.
2. Doctor Bob's Nightmare
The foundational story of Dr. Bob and the birth of Alcoholics Anonymous on June 10, 1935.
3. Alcoholic Anonymous Number Three
The story of the man who was the third member of A.A. and kept the faith in Akron.
4. He Had To Be Shown
The story of an oldest member who was convinced of the program's power against his will.
5. He Thought He Could Drink Like A Gentleman
A Cleveland pioneer's account of trying to control his drinking.
6. Women Suffer Too
Marty M.'s story of being one of the first women to find sobriety in A.A.
7. The European Drinker
Alsace-born member finds that beer and wine were not the answer to his problem.
8. The Vicious Cycle
How a salesman broke his obstinacy and helped start A.A. in Philadelphia.
9. The News Hawk
A newsman's journey through life's highs and lows to find safety in A.A.
10. From Farm To City
A pioneer woman from the first group shares how A.A. works during rough times.
11. The Man Who Mastered Fear
He spent 18 years running away before finding he didn't have to; started A.A. in Detroit.
12. He Sold Himself Short
Finding a Higher Power that had more faith in him than he had in himself.
13. Home Brewmeister
A story of fighting Prohibition and becoming a founder of Cleveland's third group.
14. The Keys Of The Kingdom
A worldly lady who helped develop A.A. in Chicago and passed her keys to many.
15. They Stopped In Time
Introduction to stories of members who were not yet 'advanced cases'.
16. Rum, Radio And Rebellion
A man facing his 'last-ditch' finds A.A. through his wife's voice.
17. Fear Of Fear
A lady who tried to be cautious with her drinking but found her life becoming unmanageable.
18. The Professor And The Paradox
Exploring the spiritual paradoxes of the A.A. program: surrender to win.
19. A Flower Of The South
A story of blooming afresh and helping start A.A. in the deep South.
20. Unto The Second Generation
A young veteran tells how early intervention in A.A. spared him years of suffering.
21. His Conscience
The realization that his conscience was the only part of him soluble to alcohol.
22. The Housewife Who Drank At Home
The story of hidden bottles and the realization of what she was becoming.
23. It Might Have Been Worse
A banker uses rare foresight to join A.A. before his 'cloud' became a 'tornado'.
24. Physician, Heal Thyself!
A psychiatrist and surgeon realizes that God is the Great Healer.
25. Stars Don’t Fall
A titled lady regains her self-respect after the overcast of alcohol lifts.
26. Me An Alcoholic?
An author's account of being squeezed by the 'Barleycorn wringer' and escaping.
27. New Vision For A Sculptor
A sculptor finds relief from a hurting conscience and a drinking problem.
28. They Lost Nearly All
Stories of alcoholics at their miserable worst who found hope in A.A.
29. Joe’s Woes
After 35 times in Bellevue, Joe finally finds a way out through A.A.
30. Our Southern Friend
A minister's son and Southern farmer finds his way to God and sobriety.
31. Jim’s Story
The physician who originated A.A.'s first group for colored members tells of his release.
32. Promoted To Chronic
A career girl's journey from solitary blackout drinking to finding A.A.
33. The Prisoner Freed
After twenty years in prison, he finds that A.A. is the key to staying out.
34. There’s Nothing The Matter With Me!
The denial of a man hocking his shoes for 'Sneaky Pete' and his ultimate recovery.
35. Desperation Drinking
Drinking to hold onto his job and sanity until he found A.A.
36. Annie The Cop Fighter
For 35 years she fought everyone and everything to stay drunk.
37. The Career Officer
An Irish officer in the British army finds sobriety after being 'retired' by brandy.
38. The Independent Blonde
A self-sufficient lady's descent into psychopathic wards and her recovery.
39. He Who Loses His Life
An ambitious playwright learns to find himself by losing himself in A.A.
40. Freedom From Bondage
Discovering that drinking was the result of deeper defects and finding freedom.