This 73rd episode begins Part 3, the last part of the Personal Stories section of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous published in 1955. Part 3 is entitled “They Lost Nearly All” and contains the final 12 stories in the Second Edition. Story number 1 in Part 3 is called “Joe’s Woes” and like the last story, was published only in the 2nd Edition.

“Joe’s Woes” was authored by Joe M. who got sober in 1940 in New York City, during the earliest years of AA when Bill W. was visiting alcoholics in the hospital. While not much is known about Joe, except for what is revealed in his Big Book story, and in a 1965 talk he made to the Old Timer’s Panel in Cleveland. One part of the story that was left out of the Big Book concerned Joe’s voluntary commitment to Rockland State Hospital during one of his many stays there. Though he was there to treat his alcoholism, he and his fellow inmates found a way to get drunk all the same. Joe said in his talk, “I got drunk so often in Rockland that they threw me the hell out of Rockland for being a bad example to the other alcoholics!”

As you listen to “Joe’s Woes”, you’ll quickly understand why this story was chosen to lead off this final section of Personal Stories in the Big Book.

Howard L, sober since January 1, 1988, presents this inspired reading of the Big Book and encourages listeners to revisit earlier podcast episodes that feature the main chapters and stories in the First and Second Editions of the Big Book. Enjoy listening on our website, BigBookPodcast.com, or download and subscribe to the podcast for free at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. If you have a minute, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Also join our facebook group, Big Book Podcast Listeners, where you can share your thoughts and experiences with fellow listeners.