(New York): U.S.O. Division of the National Board, Y.W.C.A., (1944). Wartime Edition. Stapled wrappers. Twenty-fourmo. 28 pages.

This small, unassuming wartime book of prayers features an early print appearance of the Serenity Prayer now closely associated with Alcoholics Anonymous. Importantly, this is its first appearance with Reinhold Niebuhr attributed as its author.

The prayer appears under the title 'For Good Judgment,' and reads as follows:

"O God, give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed; courage to change what can be changed; and the wisdom to know one from the other."

This is probably the most influential and widely recited prayer other than "The Lord's Prayer,' and in this small booklet for World War II soldiers it is, for the first time in print, credited to its author.

Near fine, printed blue covers over a stapled binding. A few minor extremity rubs.

Item #1996

Price: $225