May 1972
Not Allied With Any Sect or Denomination
(Spiritual experience—the spiritual roots of our Fellowship, variety of beliefs among members, universal principles)
The Bill W.–Carl Jung Letters January 1963
After the Fall August 1969
Seeking Through Meditation April 1969
A Gift That Surpasses Understanding April 1970
Prayer January 1980
A Slob’s Guide to Spiritual Growth April 1982
Why God Says No February 1958
Tradition Twelve September 1971
And Then an Eskimo Came Over the Hill August 1978
What Is Acceptance? by Bill W. March 1962
Neither Endorses Nor Opposes Any Causes
(Trends and issues in AA–an overview of problems and controversies within the Fellowship, from founding days to the present)
The Shape of Things to Come, by Bill W. February 1961
AA Is Getting Too Organized! February 1961
Our Primary Purpose and the Special-Purpose Group, by John L. Norris, MD October 1977
The Washingtonians July 1976
Are We Letting Others Do Our Work? December 1978
Those “Goof Balls,’’ by Bill W. November 1945
As Different as We Choose to Be May 1984
Back to Basics September 1977
Tradition Ten May 1971
Over 40 Billion Problems Served October 1983
Is Public Controversy Ever Justified? January 1977
Alcoholics Anonymous Is a Fellowship
(The Fellowship as a whole–past, present, and future, significant historical writings, personal glimpses of the co-founders, more about the Twelve Traditions)
Twelve Suggested Points for AA Tradition, by Bill W. April 1946
Dr. Bob: The Man and the Physician September 1978
Bill’s Wife Remembers When, by Lois W. December 1944
“Let’s Keep It Simple”–But How?, by Bill W. July 1960
Tradition Six August 1970
Services Make AA Tick, by Bill W. November 1951
Tradition Eight December 1970
Tradition Nine February 1971
Why Alcoholics Anonymous Is Anonymous, by Bill W. January 1955
The Preamble (a brief history)
This reissued book is presented as originally
created. It is a historical document.
It may contain outdated cultural depictions.
Foreword
Readers of the AA Grapevine magazine have called it their “meeting in print” since the first issue came off press in June 1944. In this The Best of the Grapevine, scores of those readers, along with the writers, artists, and editors who joined them in putting the book together, welcome you to a marathon meeting—a collection of articles selected by Grapevine enthusiasts as those that best nurtured their sobriety and developed their understanding of AA principles.
So sit back, relax, keep an open mind, and “listen” to AA friends from all over the world. Prepare to meet co-founders Bill W. and Dr. Bob; come to know the men and women who through trial and error forged AA’s Steps and Traditions; welcome some non-AA friends into your hearts and minds; and widen your circle of friends among the AAs new and old who keep our Fellowship, and therefore ourselves, alive and growing.
You are invited to enter the world of the Grapevine, a sober world filled with the love and laughter, the hard work and spiritual growth, that stand at the heart of the life-saving Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Turn the pages, and let the meeting begin.
“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other…”
ONE
That We May Solve Our Common Problem
