{"product_id":"manual-for-alcoholics-anonymous-akron-manual-third-edition","title":"A Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous | Third Edition — Akron Group No. 1 “King School Group”","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThird Edition — Akron Group No. 1 “King School Group”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarly Alcoholics Anonymous Sponsorship \u0026amp; Recovery Manual\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOffered here is an original \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThird Edition of \u003cstrong\u003eA Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the celebrated early Akron pamphlet written and edited by members of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous Akron Group No. 1\u003c\/span\u003e, popularly known as the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eKing School Group\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAkron Group No. 1 was the original A.A. group and the home fellowship of A.A. co-founder \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDr. Robert Holbrook Smith\u003c\/span\u003e. This manual offers a direct look at how Alcoholics Anonymous was practiced in Akron during the Fellowship’s formative years, when early members were still shaping sponsorship, hospitalization work, meeting structure, spiritual practice, and the responsibility of carrying the message.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe cover itself identifies the historical importance of the group, noting that Akron Group No. 1 included one of A.A.’s founders, the first person to accept the program, and numerous members whose sobriety dated back to 1935, 1936, and 1937.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe Akron Manual is one of the most important early instructional pamphlets in Alcoholics Anonymous history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eUnlike later standardized A.A. literature, this booklet reflects the practical experience of the early Akron fellowship. Its stated purpose was straightforward: to serve as a guide for both \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003enew members and sponsors of new members\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe Foreword explains that the manual was intended to give newcomers a practical explanation of what to do—and what not to do—in seeking sobriety, while also instructing sponsors in their responsibilities toward the new alcoholic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe booklet was designed to be used alongside the Big Book, the Bible, daily spiritual readings, and other constructive literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarly A.A. Practice\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe manual provides unusually direct insight into how early A.A. operated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eAmong the subjects discussed are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esponsorship and working with newcomers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehospital visits and carrying the message\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003edaily spiritual practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emeeting attendance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehelping other alcoholics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehumility and vigilance against relapse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003egroup organization and service\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esuggested spiritual reading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe language is direct, practical, and unmistakably rooted in the earliest years of the Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOne passage advises the recovering alcoholic that the more A.A. work he does, the less likely he is to take the first drink. Another explains that meetings should be attended regularly and describes the organizational structure then used by Akron Group No. 1.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThese pages preserve a vivid picture of A.A. before its practices became fully standardized.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSuggested Reading\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe final pages include a revealing list of books early Akron members found helpful, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Holy Bible\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e — Works Publishing Company\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Greatest Thing in the World\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — Henry Drummond\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAs a Man Thinketh\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — James Allen\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Sermon on the Mount\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — Emmet Fox\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Self You Have to Live With\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — Winfred Rhoades\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ePsychology of Christian Personality\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — Ernest M. Ligon\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAbundant Living\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — E. Stanley Jones\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Man Nobody Knows\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — Bruce Barton\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis reading list provides additional insight into the spiritual and intellectual material circulating among early A.A. members.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Third Edition\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGroup:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous Akron Group No. 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePopular Name:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e King School Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Stapled pamphlet\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCover Price:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e 15¢\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDistribution:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e A.A. Akron Group No. 1, P.O. Box 932, Akron, Ohio\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe rear ordering page remains intact and includes the original detachable mail-order coupon for additional copies of the pamphlet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis example is in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003every good condition overall\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe pale green covers remain clean and attractive, showing only light age-related wear and handling. There is a small handwritten \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“15¢” notation at the upper-right corner of the front cover\u003c\/span\u003e, along with a few light marks and spots consistent with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe original staples are present and the binding remains secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe interior pages are clean, complete, and well preserved, with only mild age toning. No significant writing or markings are visible inside the booklet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eImportantly, the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003erear order coupon remains fully intact and has not been detached\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the exact condition and appearance of this copy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis is an important surviving example of one of the key early instructional pamphlets produced by Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eIts significance lies in its direct connection to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAkron Group No. 1 — the original A.A. group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe fellowship surrounding \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDr. Bob\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eearly sponsorship practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehospital-based Twelfth Step work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eearly meeting structure and group service\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe spiritual reading that influenced early A.A.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe practical day-to-day methods used before A.A. literature became standardized\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThird Edition designation\u003c\/span\u003e, intact rear order form, and strong overall condition make this a particularly appealing example for a serious collection of early Alcoholics Anonymous literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eA substantial piece of A.A. history that documents not merely what early members believed, but \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ehow they actually practiced recovery and carried the message in Akron\u003cb\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67634719523058,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/D2C76C65-F0C9-4E56-9E21-24ADDC1976BF.jpg?v=1791142269","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/manual-for-alcoholics-anonymous-akron-manual-third-edition","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}