Home / Free literature
Free A.A. literature
Every download here is the official, free edition from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services or Al-Anon. Read on your phone, save it, or print a copy for yourself.
Links open the official files on aa.org and al-anon.org, so you always get the current edition. Prefer one app with everything? Everything A.A. has the Big Book and the Twelve and Twelve with audio.
Alcoholics Anonymous, the Big Book
The basic text of A.A., first published in 1939. The first 164 pages describe the program; the rest are members’ stories. Each chapter is a separate free PDF.
The first 164 pages
- 1. Bill’s Story · pages 1–16 · PDF
- 2. There Is a Solution · pages 17–29 · PDF
- 3. More About Alcoholism · pages 30–43 · PDF
- 4. We Agnostics · pages 44–57 · PDF
- 5. How It Works · pages 58–71 · PDF
- 6. Into Action · pages 72–88 · PDF
- 7. Working With Others · pages 89–103 · PDF
- 8. To Wives · pages 104–121 · PDF
- 9. The Family Afterward · pages 122–135 · PDF
- 10. To Employers · pages 136–150 · PDF
- 11. A Vision For You · pages 151–164 · PDF
Forewords and The Doctor’s Opinion
- Preface · pages xi–xii · PDF
- Foreword to the First Edition · pages xiii–xiv · PDF
- Foreword to the Second Edition · pages xv–xxi · PDF
- Foreword to the Third Edition · pages xxii · PDF
- Foreword to the Fourth Edition · pages xxiii–xxiv · PDF
- The Doctor’s Opinion · pages xxv–xxxii · PDF
Personal stories and appendices
- Personal Stories — introduction · pages 165–166 · PDF
- Personal Stories, Part I: Pioneers of A.A. · pages 169–276 · PDF
- Personal Stories, Part II: They Stopped in Time · pages 277–431 · PDF
- Personal Stories, Part III: They Lost Nearly All · pages 435–559 · PDF
- Appendix I: The A.A. Tradition · PDF
- Appendix II: Spiritual Experience · PDF
- Appendix III: The Medical View on A.A. · PDF
- Appendix IV: The Lasker Award · PDF
- Appendix V: The Religious View on A.A. · PDF
- Appendix VI: How to Get in Touch With A.A. · PDF
- Appendix VII: The Twelve Concepts (short form) · PDF
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Co-founder Bill W.’s essays on each Step and each Tradition, the book many groups here study on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Free, one PDF per chapter.
Foreword and the Twelve Steps
The Twelve Traditions
- Tradition 1 · PDF
- Tradition 2 · PDF
- Tradition 3 · PDF
- Tradition 4 · PDF
- Tradition 5 · PDF
- Tradition 6 · PDF
- Tradition 7 · PDF
- Tradition 8 · PDF
- Tradition 9 · PDF
- Tradition 10 · PDF
- Tradition 11 · PDF
- Tradition 12 · PDF
- The Twelve Traditions — long form · PDF
Living Sober
Thirty-one practical ideas members use to stay away from the first drink, one day at a time. Monday and Saturday groups here read from it.
- Pages 1–17 · PDF
- Pages 18–32 · PDF
- Pages 33–49 · PDF
- Pages 50–63 · PDF
- Pages 63–71 · PDF
- Pages 72–85 · PDF
- Page 87: The Twelve Steps · PDF
- Pages 89–92 · PDF
Pamphlets for newcomers
Short and honest. Each opens on aa.org with a free “View PDF” button.
PDFIs A.A. for You?Twelve honest questions only you can answer. Takes two minutes.WEBTake the self-assessment onlineThe same twelve questions as an interactive page.PDFIs A.A. for Me?An illustrated version of the questions, easy to read.PDFA Newcomer AsksShort answers to what people ask before a first meeting.PDFFrequently Asked Questions About A.A.Formerly “44 Questions.” What A.A. is and isn’t, what it costs, how it works.PDFThis Is A.A.An introduction to the A.A. recovery program.PDFA Brief Guide to A.A.The basics on one sheet.
More free pamphlets
PDFQuestions and Answers on SponsorshipWhat a sponsor is, how to find one, how to be one.PDFMany Paths to SpiritualityFor anyone worried about the “God part.” Members of many beliefs, and none.PDFWomen in A.A.Stories from women in recovery.PDFYoung People in A.A.You’re not too young to have a problem.PDFA.A. for the Older AlcoholicLarge print. It’s never too late.PDFProblems Other Than AlcoholOn addiction to other drugs, and what A.A. can and can’t offer.PDFThe A.A. Group … Where It All BeginsHow a home group works.PDFIs There an Alcoholic in Your Life?For family, friends and co-workers.WEBEvery A.A. pamphletThe full catalog of more than 250 free pamphlets.
The Steps, Traditions and Concepts
Daily reading, audio and video
WEBDaily ReflectionsToday’s reading, written by A.A. members. A new one every day.WEBBig Book — read or listen onlineThe whole Big Book in your browser, with audio.AUDIOOur Primary Purpose podcastThe official podcast of A.A.’s General Service Office.AUDIOAA Grapevine PodcastMembers’ stories and conversations from AA Grapevine.WEBAA GrapevineA.A.’s meeting in print. Free daily quote and sobriety calculator.VIDEOA.A. on YouTubeOfficial videos from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.
For families and friends (Al-Anon)
PDFAre You Troubled by Someone’s Drinking?Al-Anon’s introductory leaflet.ES¿Le preocupa la forma de beber de alguien?La misma hoja en español.PDFHas Your Life Been Affected by Someone Else’s Drinking?Al-Anon leaflet.PDFDid You Grow Up with a Problem Drinker?For adult children of alcoholics.PDFDetachmentLoving someone without carrying their drinking.WEBAl-Anon self-quizTwenty questions for family and friends.WEBAlateenFor teens affected by someone’s drinking.WEBAll free Al-Anon downloadsAl-Anon’s full list of free items.
En español
ESAlcohólicos Anónimos (Libro Grande)Capítulos 1 al 11, en PDF gratis.ESDoce Pasos y Doce TradicionesCada Paso y Tradición en PDF gratis.ES¿Es AA para usted?Doce preguntas que solo usted puede contestar.ESReflexiones DiariasLa lectura de hoy.ESLa ViñaLa revista de AA en español.ESAl-Anon en españolPara familiares y amigos de alcohólicos.
Alcohólicos Anónimos: capítulos 1 al 11
- Capítulo 1 · PDF
- Capítulo 2 · PDF
- Capítulo 3 · PDF
- Capítulo 4 · PDF
- Capítulo 5 · PDF
- Capítulo 6 · PDF
- Capítulo 7 · PDF
- Capítulo 8 · PDF
- Capítulo 9 · PDF
- Capítulo 10 · PDF
- Capítulo 11 · PDF