Experience, Strength
and Hope
OTHER BOOKS
Alcoholics Anonymous
The basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
An interpretive commentary on the A.A. program
by a co-founder
Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age
A brief history of A.A.’s first two decades
As Bill Sees It
(formerly THE A.A. WAY OF LIFE)
Selected writings of A.A.’s co-founder
Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers
A biography, with recollections of early A.A.
in the Midwest
Pass It On
Bill W.’s life story; how the A.A. message
reached the world
Daily Reflections
A book of reflections by A.A. members for A.A. members
BOOKLETS
Came to Believe . . .
Spiritual experiences of 75 A.A.s
Living Sober
Practical suggestions heard at meetings
A.A. in Prison: Inmate to Inmate
Former Grapevine articles by people who found
A.A. in prison
EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE Stories from the First Three Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLD SERVICES, INC. BOX 459, GRAND CENTRAL STATION NEW YORK, NY 10163 2003
Copyright © 2003 by
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
All rights reserved.
First Edition, 2003
Third printing, September 2014
Personal stories on pages 290, 298, 301, 316, 331, 352, 364,
381, and 385 are copyrighted © by The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.,
and are reprinted here with permission.
This is A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature Alcoholics Anonymous and A.A. are registered trademarks® of A.A. World Services, Inc. Library of Congress Control Number: 2003091160 ISBN: 978-1-893007-30-7 eISBN: 987-1-940889-17-7 Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS
The Unbeliever A Feminine Victory A Business Man’s Recovery A Different Slant The Back-Slider The Seven Month Slip My Wife and I A Ward of the Probate Court Riding the Rods The Salesman Fired Again Truth Freed Me! Smile with Me, at Me A Close Shave Educated Agnostic Another Prodigal Story The Car Smasher Hindsight On His Way An Alcoholic’s Wife An Artist’s Concept The Rolling Stone Lone Endeavor
The Professor and the Paradox His Conscience New Vision for a Sculptor Joe’s Woes There’s Nothing the Matter With Me Annie the Cop Fighter The Independent Blonde
He Had to Be Shown He Thought He Could Drink Like a Gentleman The European Drinker The News Hawk From Farm to City Home Brewmeister Too Young? Those Golden Years Lifesaving Words A Teen-ager’s Decision Rum, Radio and Rebellion Any Day Was Washday A Flower of the South Calculating the Costs Stars Don’t Fall Growing Up All Over Again Unto the Second Generation A Five-Time Loser Wins Promoted to Chronic Join the Tribe! Belle of the Bar The Prisoner Freed Desperation Drinking The Career Officer