Conference-approved A.A. book · published 1953
Bill W.’s twenty-four essays on the Steps and Traditions
Known as the “Twelve and Twelve,” this book contains twelve essays by Bill W. on the Steps and twelve on the Traditions: personal recovery and the principles that protect A.A. group unity.
- 24 essays by Bill W.
- Essays first published in Grapevine in 1952
- Book published in 1953
- Official text, audio, and ASL online
About the Twelve and Twelve
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, usually called the Twelve and Twelve, contains twenty-four essays by Bill W.: twelve on the Steps and twelve on the Traditions. The essays first appeared in Grapevine in 1952; the book was published in 1953. The official publication description identifies the Steps with personal recovery and the Traditions with the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Step essays occupy pages 21–125 of the official edition. They begin with Step One on pages 21–24 and continue through Step Twelve on pages 106–125. Read in sequence, they follow the movement from recognizing alcoholism and accepting help through inventory, amends, continuing practice, prayer and meditation, and carrying the message.
The Tradition essays begin on page 129. Their subject is not an individual member’s private conduct but the experience that allows autonomous groups to remain part of one fellowship. They address common welfare, membership, authority, money, public relations, anonymity, and the relationship between spiritual purpose and organizational power.
The official contents conclude with the Long Form of the Traditions on pages 192–195. The Long Form belongs with the twelve essays because it preserves the fuller wording from which the familiar short form was developed.
AA.org makes the book unusually accessible: every Step and Tradition chapter can be opened separately as readable text, audio, or ASL. The same official publication page also identifies current print, large-print, pocket, audio, Braille, electronic, and translated editions.
Inside the book
Introduction and Foreword · pages 14–18
The official edition begins with an introduction and foreword before the 24 essays.
Twelve Steps · pages 21–125
One essay for each Step. The official page provides individual reading, audio, and ASL access by Step.
Twelve Traditions · pages 129–191
One essay for each Tradition. The official page provides individual reading, audio, and ASL access by Tradition.
Traditions, Long Form · pages 192–195
The official contents place the Long Form after the twelve Tradition essays.