The first original title released by Alcoholics Anonymous in over thirty years, the book Our Great Responsibility: A Selection of Bill W.’s General Service Conference Talks, 1951–1970 is now available in English, French and Spanish.
The book features:
• 16 talks — derived from archival audio recordings — offering fresh perspectives on A.A. in the co-founder’s own words.
• Over 60 archival photos and other images.
• Previously unpublished material from the A.A. General Service Office Archives.
Founded in 1935 on the principle of one alcoholic helping another to achieve sobriety, A.A. has proven to be an effective and enduring program of recovery that has changed countless lives. As explained in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, from which the Fellowship took its name, A.A.’s recovery program of twelve suggested Steps was formulated through the experience of its first 100 members.
With Bill W. as its primary architect, A.A. developed a loosely organized service structure that eventually succeeded the direction and guidance of its founders to provide enduring leadership for the Fellowship as a whole. Launched in 1951 and meeting annually ever since, A.A.’s General Service Conference has been the primary mechanism for an increasingly diverse membership to deliberate and determine its “group conscience” on a wide range of matters affecting A.A. as a whole.
Bill W. addressed the Conference on an annual basis over the course of two decades, prior to his death in 1971, and Our Great Responsibility gathers together many of these talks, capturing Bill’s innovative thinking on myriad A.A. themes. For more information about the book, click here.
What Is A.A.?
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of people who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
