Home | Articles | Reviews | Links | Treatment Centers |eCatalog | About the Book

Custom Search

 
The Annotated AA Handbook:
 A Companion to the Big Book

by Frank D.

Got a question about AA's Big Book - Alcoholics Anonymous? Want some real insights into the history of the organization and people who created the 12 Steps? Wonder if there's anything about sex in the Big Book? Do you sense that something you've heard at a meeting might not be accurate, but you don't know where to find it? You need this book!

Frank D. has created an incredible reference resource to the Big Book. He's done it by going through the first 164 pages of the 3rd edition one-by-one, including the stories that appeared in the 1st edition, and making notes about every conceivable subject. He's indexed the Big Book, his notes and created cross references so you have a variety of ways to find what you're looking for. Since the Big Book is reprinted here, (and every sentence numbered) you've got everything you need in one hefty volume.

For example, the index has 14 entries under the word, RECOVERED. The entry, directions are given showing how we... sends us to note 29:1 of the Handbook where Frank points out that there really are some 'musts,' and in margin notes beside the Big Book text leads us to several more uses of RECOVERED.  As if that weren't enough, the index entry also refers us to page 61 of the Big Book, in case we want to double check his work or just know where to find the quote.

My first reaction was amazement and I almost stuck the Handbook with the rest of my reference books. Then I realized this was a super way to re-read the Big Book - it's all here, so it's on my night table. I've had fun just reading the Big Book text and letting myself get distracted with some of the references. Fun? Well, yes, and I've learned some things along the way.

The other nifty thing Frank has done is inserted snippets of AA history along the way. For example, there are excellent profiles of Bill W. and of Dr. Bob. He's also added things like a list of the prayers gathered from the Big Book, complete with references to where the prayers were suggested.

This book is a must for any 12 Stepper.

Order The Annotated AA Handbook : A Companion to the Big Book NOW!