{"product_id":"scribner-s-commentator-january-1941-featuring-alcoholics-anonymous-by-theodore-english","title":"Scribner’s Commentator January 1941 - Featuring “Alcoholics Anonymous” by Theodore English","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eScribner’s Commentator — January 1941\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeaturing “Alcoholics Anonymous” by Theodore English\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEarly A.A. Article · Pre-Jack Alexander Publicity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDescription\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOffered here is the January 1941 issue of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScribner’s Commentator\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, featuring the article \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Alcoholics Anonymous” by Theodore English\u003c\/span\u003e—a scarce and important early magazine article on A.A. published just before the famous Jack Alexander article appeared in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Saturday Evening Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e in March 1941.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis article captures Alcoholics Anonymous at a pivotal early moment, when the Fellowship was still small, largely anonymous to the general public, and only beginning to attract national attention. The subtitle reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“New Year’s resolutions, sanitariums and so-called cures are no help to many who are afflicted with the drink habit. One plan has really worked for over 700 people, and more are being helped by it every day.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe article introduces readers to A.A. through the story of “Bill,” describing his drinking, his spiritual awakening, the help he received from another recovered alcoholic, and the way the program was being carried from one sufferer to another. It presents A.A. as a spiritual but nonsectarian solution, emphasizing the ideas of a power greater than oneself, helping others, making amends, and passing the message along.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis January 1941 article is especially desirable because it appeared during the brief window before A.A.’s national growth exploded following the Jack Alexander article in March 1941. At the time, A.A. was still relatively unknown, with the article noting approximately \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e700 members\u003c\/span\u003e and groups in cities such as \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNew York, Cleveland, Akron, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, and Houston\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe piece also provides an early outside description of the Fellowship’s method, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA.A.’s anonymous nature\u003cbr\u003eThe spiritual basis of recovery\u003cbr\u003eThe importance of one alcoholic helping another\u003cbr\u003eThe medical—not moral—view of alcoholism\u003cbr\u003eThe absence of dues or officers\u003cbr\u003eThe role of meetings and personal testimony\u003cbr\u003eThe rapid spread of groups through personal contact\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFor collectors of early A.A. publicity, this is a meaningful pre-\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eSaturday Evening Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e article that helps document how A.A. was being explained to the public just before its major national breakthrough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdditional Issue Content\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis issue also includes prominent period articles such as \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Impregnable America” by Col. Charles A. Lindbergh\u003c\/span\u003e, along with wartime and political commentary reflecting the atmosphere of early 1941 America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis magazine is in good condition overall with general age-related wear. The cover shows rubbing, handling wear, light creasing, and edge\/corner wear. The back cover shows toning, staining, and age wear. Interior pages are intact and readable, with expected age toning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePlease review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA strong early A.A. magazine collectible—published only months before the Jack Alexander article that helped bring Alcoholics Anonymous into national awareness. An excellent addition for collectors of early A.A. publicity, Big Book-era history, and outside magazine coverage of the young Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49681573118194,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/E432ABDA-0A72-4221-B9C7-4EE2E28CA92F.jpg?v=1781640601","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/scribner-s-commentator-january-1941-featuring-alcoholics-anonymous-by-theodore-english","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}