Clancy Got Well (1951) — Jay R. Clancy / Judge Ray Harrison (“Clancy”)
Clancy Got Well (1951) — Jay R. Clancy / Judge Ray Harrison (“Clancy”) — Early Iowa A.A. History — McGrevey Book Store, Des Moines
Title: Clancy Got Well
Author: Jay R. Clancy (written by Judge Ray Harrison — “Clancy”)
Publisher: McGrevey Book Store, Des Moines, Iowa
Year: 1951
Format: Hardcover
Overview
Offered here is a scarce 1951 recovery memoir, Clancy Got Well, published in Des Moines by McGrevey Book Store and written under the name Jay R. Clancy—the anonymous A.A. “Clancy” identified as Judge Ray Harrison.
This is a powerful, plainspoken account of alcoholism and recovery, told by a prominent judge who chronicles his fall and his transformation through Alcoholics Anonymous. Beyond the personal story, the book carries real historical weight: Judge Ray H. is credited as a key early figure in Iowa A.A., organizing the first A.A. group in the state—making this an especially important piece for collectors of regional A.A. history and early Twelve Step ephemera.
From the Foreword
The Foreword emphasizes that the author “makes no pretense of being a writer,” and that the name is presented anonymously in keeping with A.A. tradition. It describes the “two lives” of the alcoholic—one in compulsive drinking and the other in sobriety—highlighting the A.A. principles of tolerance, humility, “thinking of others,” gratitude, and living one day at a time. The stated hope is simple and direct: if the book helps even one person find A.A., it was “worth its weight in gold.”
Why This Book Matters
- Early, regionally published A.A.-related memoir (Des Moines, 1951)
- Written by Judge Ray Harrison (“Clancy”), an important early Iowa A.A. organizer
- A raw, first-person look at recovery thinking in the early postwar era
- Collectible for A.A. historians, recovery archives, and Midwest A.A. ephemera collectors
Condition
Condition: Good.
- Covers show wear consistent with age and handling, including a liquid stain
- Handwritten notes on one page near the back of the book
- No other writing or markings noted beyond the above
- Binding remains serviceable; pages are complete (please review photos)
Please view all photos carefully—they are part of the description and show the most accurate representation of condition.
