Page 7 - F-166 - A Brief History of the Big Book - Una breve historia del Libro Grande - L'histoire du Gros Livre en bref
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and is read by millions of people in approximately 170
           countries around the world. Approximately 35 million

           copies of the fi rst four editions of the Big Book (in En-
           glish) have been distributed. It sells about one million
           copies per year, worldwide.


           The roots of the Spanish Big Book

           It is not known exactly who produced the very fi rst

           Spanish translation of Alcoholics Anonymous or when it
           was translated. One historical narrative passed down to
           us claims that the earliest translation of the Big Book was

           accomplished by the wife of a Spanish-speaking mem-
           ber, Ricardo P. in 1946, and was done in an effort to
           reach his fellow Mexicans. The manuscript was alleged-

           ly given to Bill W. by Ricardo. Found tucked away in
           the G.S.O. archives, a copy of a handwritten note from
           Bill W. to Ricardo, dated July 1946, reads, “In testimo-

           ny and deep gratitude for his arduous labors of trans-
           lation—that our Spanish - speaking brothers through-
           out the world may be led out of darkness into light.”

              Another early translation is attributed to Frank M.
           of the Hispano Group New York (of Puerto Rican or-


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