It has been over seventy years since Bill W. wrote the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. How is it that they are still relevant to Alcoholics Anonymous' ability to carry a message of hope to suffering alcoholics across the globe? This study tracks the successes and failures of an evolving fellowship of alcoholics and their non-alcoholic friends from December 1934 to April 1965. It is a historical catalogue through the lens of each Tradition, which offers additional insights to its particular role in the survival of Alcoholics Anonymous. As the reader progresses from one Tradition to the next, a continuing story line will culminate in Bill W.'s last battle for alcoholics; a battle he finally won less than six years before he died.