Primer On Alcoholism by Marty Mann - First Edition First Printing from 1950 - ODJ
Primer on Alcoholism
By Marty Mann
First Edition · First Printing (1950)
With Original Dust Jacket
Rinehart & Co., Inc., New York
Description
This is a First Printing of the First Edition of Primer on Alcoholism by Marty Mann, published in 1950, complete with its original dust jacket. This landmark work is one of the earliest and most influential books to present alcoholism as a disease rather than a moral failing — a revolutionary concept at the time of publication.
First printings of Primer on Alcoholism are unstated, but are definitively identifiable by the publisher’s logo on the copyright page. Only first printings contain the “R” inside a circle, which is present in this copy, confirming its first printing status.
Written with clarity, compassion, and authority, Primer on Alcoholism was intended for families, professionals, employers, and the general public. It helped lay the groundwork for modern understanding, treatment, and public acceptance of alcoholism as a medical and social issue.
About the Author
Marty Mann holds a unique and foundational place in recovery history. She was the first woman to enter Alcoholics Anonymous and remain sober, beginning her recovery in 1939. Inspired by her own experience, she devoted her life to education and advocacy.
In 1944, Mann founded the National Committee on Alcoholism (now the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence), becoming the first person — and first woman — to dedicate herself full-time to public education about alcoholism. Trained at the Yale School of Alcohol Studies, she worked closely with pioneers such as Dr. E. M. Jellinek and Dr. Howard Haggard, helping shift public policy and perception nationwide.
Mann is often referred to as the “First Lady of Alcoholics Anonymous”, and Primer on Alcoholism stands as her most enduring and influential work.
Contents & Themes
In Primer on Alcoholism, Mann combines scientific understanding with deep empathy, addressing topics such as:
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The physical and psychological nature of alcoholism
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How to recognize an alcoholic
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Who is — and is not — an alcoholic
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Stages of alcoholism
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Medical, psychiatric, and institutional treatments
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The role of Alcoholics Anonymous
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What families and communities can do to help
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Why recovery is possible
Her central message is one of education and hope: that alcoholism is treatable, and that recovery becomes possible when knowledge replaces stigma.
Publication Details
Title: Primer on Alcoholism
Author: Marty Mann
Publisher: Rinehart & Co., Inc.
Publication Year: 1950
Edition: First Edition
Printing: First Printing (identified by circled “R” publisher’s mark)
Binding: Hardcover
Dust Jacket: Original
Condition
Book: Very Good condition. The book is fully intact with no torn or missing pages. Clean interior overall. There is pen writing on the first blank page and no other markings within the text. Binding is solid.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present. Shows wear consistent with age, including small tears and edge wear, but remains complete and attractive.
Please review all photos carefully for an accurate representation of condition.
Significance
Primer on Alcoholism is a cornerstone of recovery literature — a vital bridge between medical science, public education, and the emerging spiritual solution of Alcoholics Anonymous. As a First Printing of the First Edition, this copy represents the earliest public presentation of Marty Mann’s groundbreaking ideas.
A highly desirable piece for collectors of Alcoholics Anonymous history, early alcoholism studies, and mid-20th-century social reform, and a powerful companion volume to the early Big Book era.
A scarce and important first printing of one of the most influential books ever written on alcoholism — by the woman who helped change how the world understood recovery.
