Experience, Strength and Hope. Anonymous

      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

       Introduction Part One

      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

       Part Two

      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

       Part Three

      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