Hey, history lovers. I'm Mike Rosenwald with Retropod, a show about the past, rediscovered.

The guidebook for Alcoholics Anonymous participants has stats most authors only dream of.

More than 30 million copies sold, translated into 67 languages.

In 2012, the Library of Congress ranked it as number 10 in its top 25 books that

shaped America. That book is called The Big Book, and in 2018, its original manuscript,

complete with handwritten notes, was auctioned off to the highest bidder. But its author, a man named William Wilson,

was never paid for writing it. He wasn't even credited. Wilson was once a successful

stockbroker, but descended into alcoholism in the 1920s and 1930s. Back then, during the

height of prohibition, alcoholism was considered to be a moral

failing, a crime, a sin, or all three. There were no rehabilitation centers, but a few hospitals

specialized in the treatment of alcoholics. And Wilson found himself in one of those hospitals,

towns, hospital Hospital and Manhattan.

There, he met a man who introduced him to the idea that addiction was a medical condition

and not a character of flaw. Wilson liked that theory, but still, he struggled.

He ended up going back to the hospital three more times over the next year. His wife had to support the family.

It was during this time that Wilson found out about the Oxford Group from an old drinking buddy.

The Oxford Group was a Christian evangelical movement that promoted the confession of one's sins,

restitution for harms caused, frequent meditation, and unselfish service to others.

Wilson's buddy was able to quit drinking after joining the group.

At first, Wilson was skeptical.

He wasn't super religious.

But in 1934, he took his last drink and threw himself into the Oxford

...