Q. When was the Big Book approved by the General Service Conference?

In 1939, the Conference did not exist. Not until 1950, at the first trial session, did the Conference approve our basic text, along with several other pieces of recovery material that were in widespread use.

Q. What is the origin of the name "Alcoholics Anonymous?"

In Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, Bill tells us that the title "Alcoholics Anonymous" was one of the first suggestions for the book, appearing probably as early as October 1938. "After we New Yorkers had left the Oxford Groups in 1937 we often described ourselves as a "nameless bunch of alcoholics." From this phrase it was only a step to the idea of "Alcoholics Anonymous." This was its actual derivation.

Q. Where did the "Big Book" get its nickname?

When "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published, the founding members wanted purchasers to be sure they were getting their money's worth. Thus, they instructed the printer to run the job on the thickest paper he had.

The original volume proved to be so bulky that it became known as the "Big Book."

Q. Where did the custom of reading from Chapter 5 at the beginning of meetings get started?

A drunk by the name of Mort J. sobered up in 1939 after reading the book. He moved to Los Angeles in 1940, and at his own expense, rented a meeting room in the Cecil Hotel. He insisted on a reading from Chapter 5 ('How It Works') of the A.A. book, at the start of every session.

Q. Why does Alcoholics Anonymous publish its own literature?

The founding members' decision to publish the book on their own, instead of going with Harper, has enabled A.A. to keep the message intact and use the income from book sales to carry the message. A.A. need never publish any piece of literature simply because "it will sell" new material is developed only in response to an expressed need from a substantial portion of the Fellowship.

Q. Who received the five-millionth copy of the Big Book?

At the 50th Anniversary International Convention in Montreal in 1985, the five-millionth copy was presented to Ruth Hock, who typed draft after draft of the original manuscript.

The one-millionth copy was presented to President Richard Nixon in April 1973; the two-millionth to Joseph Califano in June 1979; the ten-millionth to Nell Wing, Bill W's longtime (nonalcoholic) secretary and A. A.'s first archivist, in July 1990. The 15-millionth was given to Ellie Norris, widow of former trustee chairman John L. Norris, M.D., in 1996; and in the year 2000, the 20-millionth copy was presented to the Al-Anon Family Groups.

The 25 millionth copy of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous was presented to Jill Brown, warden of San Quentin prison, at the 2005 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous which took place in Toronto, Canada. The first A.A. meeting in a prison was held in San Quentin in 1941.

Q. How much has the price of the Big Book risen since 1939?

The original price of the Big Book was $3.50, the hardcover 2001 Fourth Edition will cost $6.00 in 2005, $8.00 in 2010 and presently $10.00 in 2018.

In April 1939, 4,730 copies of the first edition of "Alcoholics Anonymous" were published at a selling price of $3.50 each, which equates to $45.92 in 2005 dollars.

Q. Why was Works Publishing given that name?

Bill W. explained in Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age that when they decided to form a stock company to sell shares in the book, the company needed a name. "Since the forthcoming volume would be only the first of many such "works," (Henry) thought our publishing company should be called, "Works Publishing, Inc."