Liberty Magazine from September 1939 - Alcoholics and God article by Morris Markey
Liberty Magazine — September 30, 1939
Featuring “Alcoholics and God” by Morris Markey
The First National Magazine Article on Alcoholics Anonymous
Description
Offered here is an original September 30, 1939 issue of Liberty magazine featuring the landmark two-page article “Alcoholics and God” by Morris Markey — widely recognized as the first article about Alcoholics Anonymous to appear in a nationally syndicated magazine.
Published only months after the release of the First Edition Big Book, this article represents one of the most important early public moments in A.A. history. At the time, Alcoholics Anonymous was still small, fragile, and largely unknown outside a handful of early groups. The Liberty article helped introduce A.A. to a national audience and produced one of the first major waves of outside inquiries from alcoholics, families, friends, and professionals seeking help.
The article’s subtitle asks:
“Is there hope for habitual drunkards? A cure that borders on the miraculous — and it works!”
Morris Markey’s article describes alcoholism as an illness rather than a moral failing, discusses the physical craving and mental compulsion, and introduces the then-new movement known as Alcoholics Anonymous. It references the newly published book Alcoholics Anonymous, the Alcoholic Foundation, early meetings, the role of spiritual experience, and the idea that one alcoholic helping another was central to recovery.
Historical Significance
The story behind this article is one of the great early publicity moments in A.A. history.
Charles B. Towns, owner of Towns Hospital where Bill Wilson had sobered up, helped bring A.A. to the attention of journalist Morris Markey. Markey then approached Fulton Oursler, editor of Liberty, who quickly recognized the importance of the story. The resulting article appeared in the September 30, 1939 issue and became A.A.’s first successful piece of national magazine publicity.
Bill W. reportedly had mixed feelings about the article’s tone and title, fearing that “Alcoholics and God” might scare off some prospects. Even so, the response was remarkable. Liberty received hundreds of urgent requests for help, which were forwarded to Bill Wilson and answered by Ruth Hock with personal letters and information about the new A.A. book.
The article helped sell copies of the Big Book, opened correspondence with alcoholics and families across the country, and contributed to early A.A. growth beyond New York and Akron. One important result was the beginning of A.A. in Philadelphia, where George S., one of the early “loners,” sobered up after reading the article and later connected with Jim Burwell.
Shortly after this article appeared, additional publicity followed, including the famous Cleveland Plain Dealer articles. In that sense, this Liberty issue stands at the very beginning of A.A.’s public emergence.
Featured Article
Title: “Alcoholics and God”
Author: Morris Markey
Magazine: Liberty
Date: September 30, 1939
Publisher: Macfadden Publications
Article Length: Two pages
Reading Time Listed: 15 minutes, 25 seconds
Collector Significance
This is a cornerstone magazine for collectors of early A.A. history.
The September 30, 1939 Liberty issue is important because it appeared during the founding year of the Big Book and helped bring Alcoholics Anonymous to national attention for the first time. It is especially desirable for collectors of early A.A. publicity, First Edition Big Book history, Bill W. and Ruth Hock-related material, Alcoholic Foundation history, and pre-Jack Alexander A.A. media coverage.
Highlights include:
Original September 30, 1939 issue of Liberty magazine
Features Morris Markey’s “Alcoholics and God”
First nationally syndicated magazine article on Alcoholics Anonymous
Published the same year as the First Edition Big Book
Helped generate hundreds of early inquiries to A.A.
Connected to Bill W., Ruth Hock, Charles Towns, Fulton Oursler, and early A.A. growth
An essential piece of early A.A. public-relations and publishing history
Condition
This magazine is in good condition overall, with age-appropriate wear.
The cover shows general wear, rubbing, handling marks, edge wear, and staining around the edges. There is a tear at the bottom of the spine. An address label remains on the front cover. Interior pages show age toning, typical of newsprint magazines from this period. The “Alcoholics and God” article is present and readable.
Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.
Collector’s Note
This issue of Liberty captures the moment Alcoholics Anonymous first stepped onto the national stage. Published in 1939, while A.A. was still young and the Big Book was newly released, “Alcoholics and God” helped carry the message beyond the original circles of New York and Akron.
For collectors of A.A. history, early recovery journalism, Big Book-related ephemera, or the public story of Alcoholics Anonymous, this is a meaningful and highly collectible piece.
