The Golden Book of Charity by Father Ralph Pfau - December 1948

The Golden Book of Charity by Father Ralph Pfau (Father John Doe) from December 1948. This is a first printing of this book.

This book, being from December 1948, is one of the earliest books released by Father Pfau. The content pages of The Golden Book of Charity were first published in a souvenir “AA Retreat book” that Father Pfau hosted at Saint Joseph College in June 1948.

“The Golden Book of Charity” was later renamed “The Golden Book of Tolerance”. The Golden Book of Charity is the rarest first printing Golden Book to find today.

This book is in very good condition. There is minor wear to the cover, rusted staples. There is handwriting on the first page of the book and a newspaper clipping about Father Pfau is inside the book.

Father Ralph Pfau was the third most published early A.A. author (only Bill Wilson the founder and Richmond Walker had more books out in print), and was the first Roman Catholic priest to get sober in A.A.

He was born in Indianapolis, educated at St. Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana, and served Catholic churches all over Indianapolis, as well as other towns in Indiana. After taking up full time A.A. work, he made his headquarters in three rooms at the Convent of the Good Shepherd in Indianapolis, with three nuns serving as his secretaries and assistants.

Early A.A. people from the South Bend area traveled to attend his weekend A.A. spiritual retreats, and formed study groups to read his books.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.