The original handbook of Alcoholics Anonymous, first published in 1939. The founders of the A.A. fellowship used the book to outline their twelve step program of recovery from alcoholism. Also included are first person narratives written by A.A. members. At the time the first edition was published, no A.A. member had more than five years of sobriety. A.A. has published a number of subsequent books to expand on the ideas presented in the "Big Book."