Alcoholics Anonymous - Big Book - Original Edition

this would have been a great purchase if it weren't for the guy reading it. it is fairly apparent that he isn't as familiar with the book as he could be. he makes little mistakes such as in How it Works he says "Rarely have we seen a person fall..." the text says FAIL. this is just an example but there are several more instances. In some chapters you can hear background noises such as a dog barking and stuff banging around. I had to keep taking out my earbuds to make sure my home wasn't being burglarized. the big book typically makes me quite serene but this audio version made me paranoid and suspicious. would i recommend you buy this? yes. because it's value as entertainment is priceless. i played a game with some program friends called "find the error and get a prize." it encouraged them to read the big book when they were previously reluctant to do so. it's a great learning tool in this regard.

Not only does this guy not read the text correctly, he sounds like the quintessential carpet salesman. What a cheese ball. DO OVER, Audible!

Like others have said in reviews, the reading of the big book here is pretty off the mark. Many times throughout this audiobook, I thought that maybe audible had recorded a person speaking individual words and somehow automated that to produce an audiobook. I wasn't sure if this was an actual person at times--the poor inflection and intonation was very difficult to look past. Whoever did the reading has probably done voice work for commercials. Every sentence it was making a pitch, instead of trying to convey something. This recording is how I figure a telephone book would sound if someone tried to do a reading of that. After hearing this book read so many times by so many different people, it was really disappointing to hear this read so tactlessly. If this person were in a meeting, people would probably laugh and ask him what he's doing there--he doesn't fool anybody.

As for the quality of the recording, it is very low. It is very compressed and similar in quality to audio that is streamed off the internet. I hope most audible books are not like this; if so it is much more worth it to go to your local library and find a cd version of your book there.

This is an important book. In the end it's not about the reading, quality, or the reader, but instead about the message. If you can look past these many surfaces, you will get something from this. However, as it is, this is a challenge here as the recording itself continuously intercedes and breaks the continuity or flow of the book when ever and if ever it does develop.

This is the worst audio book I have ever heard. For such a book as this, it truly deserves a clear, honest, and well produced reading.

I have to believe you could throw a dart out the window and hit someone…ANYONE that could have read this book better.

This is the worst audiobook reading I've ever heard.

It's like listening to a bad "radio commercial pitch man" audition.

An amazing book had so many mispronounced words that it left me angry and confused at how such an influential book could have turned into such an awful audio book. The narrator has obviously never read the Big Book, and though he has the raspy voice of an alcoholic, I have to assume there are millions of people out there who could have done a much better job at it. And I would guess they would not have charged for doing it.

This book is a valuable "MUST READ" for anyone (or, anyone who knows someone) who suffers from, or questions that they may have a "problem" with alcoholism or addiction problems. This is the "Bible" and the tenets are the basis of any 12-step Recovery program. It is a classic that has remained relevant over decades. My son is in the program (AA, Cocaine Anonymous), and I am active in our local Families Anonymous. This book is valuable reading that does not get old, no matter how many times I've read and/or listened to it. Thank you Audible.com for adding this selection!

Without being over critical of the narrator.(Jason McCoy) Based on listening to the audiobook, and my own experience reading this book. I would have to question his knowledge of the subject and the books content,sounds like he just picked it up and started reading..........Listen Before You Buy!

Not based on this performance.

I did try to return this purchase and was informed it was not eligible for refund.
Thanks!.......... Frank.

This is the ORIGINAL EDITION from the 1930's. It is still relevant but it is not current and updated. This edition is a good starting point, but recommend the current edition. I hope that audible.com will attempt to acquire the most current edition.

Nice to see the Big Book in audio format, but I was disappointed with the reading.

Have a talented reader and read the complete book.

McCoy is unable to pronounce many ordinary words. He doesn't seem to understand what he's reading

I love the AA Big Book. This is not the complete Big Book and it is not well read.