¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io
  1. AAHistoryLovers
  2. Topics

Big Book

 

Why did Bill Wilson demote the doctor's opinion to its present location in big book when it had been chapter 1?
I've been sober for 42 years and the more I read the doctor's opinion the more I think it's original positioning as chapter 1 was more helpful to a newcomer.
 

Because it was originally intentioned to be an introduction, never a chapter. ?
[Moderator comment: I had to jump in and moderate this because you made a statement of fact that is different from the source provided. That content behind the link actually states:

"As an item of AA trivia ¡°The Doctor¡¯s Opinion¡± began as page 1 in the 1st edition and was not changed to Roman numerals until the 2nd edition. The basic text ended at page 174 in the 1st edition, not 164 as it does today. Nobody really knows why Bill W renumbered the pages but there is much entertaining speculation on the matter."

...which does not line up with your "statement of fact" that it was originally intended to be an introduction.

Since the citation doesn't back up the statement, I had to moderate. ?So, to that end, unless someone can come up with documented reason as to why that change was made, I will moderate any future speculation on this as well and we'll consider it as unanswerable. -Thom]
 

Good Morning,

One should NEVER read their emails prior to completing their morning meditations!? I had to comment on this thread however, because I have a broken right little finger and am going to the Doctor's in a few minutes. Thank you Thomas for moderating.? I submitted a motion to return "The Doctor's Opinion" to last year's GSC through my Salem, NH noontime group.? Please see our background information at .? The bottom line is Thomas is correct, there is no documented reason for the change and because of this remains "creative speculation" on the reason(s).? I have researched this subject for well over 20 years.? I can argue that it should be returned but because the reason(s) remain a mystery my sense is that it will never be returned.? By the way, the Literature Committee spent over 2 hours debating the merits of the motion and decided not to take any action.? Feel free to contact me privately.

Grateful Dave T
Registrar Area 43
603-870-9060
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I have one of those anniversary first ?edition first printing red big books and it ends on page 179. Does anybody on here have an original for printing they can verify that with? I was always under the impression That all 16 printing of the first edition and it on page 179.?
Gene

On May 15, 2024, at 8:19?AM, Kimberlypoer35@... wrote:

?Because it was originally intentioned to be an introduction, never a chapter. ?
[Moderator comment: I had to jump in and moderate this because you made a statement of fact that is different from the source provided. That content behind the link actually states:

"As an item of AA trivia ¡°The Doctor¡¯s Opinion¡± began as page 1 in the 1st edition and was not changed to Roman numerals until the 2nd edition. The basic text ended at page 174 in the 1st edition, not 164 as it does today. Nobody really knows why Bill W renumbered the pages but there is much entertaining speculation on the matter."

...which does not line up with your "statement of fact" that it was originally intended to be an introduction.

Since the citation doesn't back up the statement, I had to moderate. ?So, to that end, unless someone can come up with documented reason as to why that change was made, I will moderate any future speculation on this as well and we'll consider it as unanswerable. -Thom]

--
Eugene Lane
Redondo Bch Ca
 

Yes, all first edition printings end chapter 11 on page 179. I asked a friend of mine who has every first edition printing and he confirmed it.

Thom

1 - 5 of 5