The Little "Big Book"

(Or "Perfect Sized Books") A Book Review/Feature by Charlie D.

I was asked to review the "Little Big Book" but I can't really give you a standard review. I can, however, share my personal experiences with this wonderful little volume.

I remember the first time I saw the "Little" BIG BOOK. I was on a ship taking a vacation in the Caribbean and encountering new friends in a "Friends of Bill W." meeting on board. We randomly selected someone to lead the meeting expecting the familiar 12 Step Card to be pulled out of the wallet and passed around the room. Instead, this big fellow, wearing a fancy dinner jacket (prepared, of course, for the evening semi-formal dinner) pulls from his pocket a miniature version of the Big Book. It was fantastic! I couldn't wait until the little book made it's way around the room to me so I could see what was included in it's contents.

I was last in turn and read the 12th step. As we began the meeting I made it a point to ask my new friend about the book at the end of the meeting. Not only was he happy to show me the book, he had an extra for just such an occasion and GAVE me a copy. He said "Pass it on!" and gave me a hearty laugh.

After dinner I found a comfortable lounge chair on top deck and enjoyed the mild Caribbean breeze. I took the "Little Big Book" from my breast pocket and found the table of contents. All of the best pages were there!

"Bill's story", "There's a Solution", "How it works", "Into Action", the Steps and the Traditions. . . and so much more packed into this little book! I began reading from the forward,

" We of Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body."

I stopped and thought about this one. One Hundred Men and Women. Good God. How many could there be right now? It was staggering to think how great an impression this small group had made on the world! How many lives they had saved!

I read on through the night enjoying each chapter as if reading it for the first time, feeling a connection to the program and my brother's and sisters in rooms all over the world.

About a year later I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the meetings that brought the Big Book to (then) Soviet Union. I watched as the Translated Big Book was passed from the hands of the United States "anonymous" representative to the Hands of an "anonymous" member from Russia. Via translators, artists, scientists, business people, and hard workers of all stations met from both sides and communicated their thoughts. Each sharing their feelings and expectations of "the program". It was a wonderful week. I made some good friends and one, in particular, now holds my copy of the "Little Big Book". Although he could not read it, the symbolic gesture of "passing it on" was felt and I truly felt a power greater than myself at work that day.

(One day I'll share more about this little known event in Program History.)

The next time you attend a meeting, check out the literature table and see if they have the Little Big Book (it's coded B-35). If it's there, I urge you to buy it from your group and carry it with you on your next vacation or walk in the park. I'm sure One Day you'll "Pass It On" too!

Until Next Time!

Your Friend,

Charlie D.

(The Little Big Book can be found on the book table at most meetings. You can also ask the book secretary in your group if this can be ordered for you.)