The little black book that’s been sitting beside AA coffee pots since 1954 still sells nearly half-a-million copies a year. But is it the right daily meditation guide for your recovery routine? Here’s a quick, no-fluff review.

Quick Specs

Author: Richmond Walker
First published: 1954 (Hazelden)
Formats: Pocket-size hardcover, Kindle, iOS/Android app
Length: 400 pages (1 meditation per calendar date)
Price range: US $11–15 print · about $6 ebook
Primary focus: Prayer + short “Thought for the Day” tied to AA principles

Sample Day Snapshot

“In the story of the Good Samaritan, the wayfarer fell among robbers and was left lying in the gutter, half dead… Do I treat another alcoholic like the priest and the Levite or like the Good Samaritan?” —May 16 reading

Who This Book Helps Most

Early risers who want a prayer-based kick-off to the day
Old-school AA members who like language that mirrors the Big Book
Anyone building a morning-plus-evening routine (each entry ends with a short prayer)

Pros

Concise—150–180 words per entry
Follows AA “Step seasons” (Steps 1-3 early in the year, etc.)
Durable pocket edition
Inexpensive app with audio playback

Cons

Heavy God language may feel rigid to secular readers
No built-in journaling prompts
Some 1950s phrasing can sound dated

How to Use Twenty-Four Hours a Day Effectively

Read the “Thought for the Day” aloud—hearing it cements focus.
Set a 2-minute timer after the final prayer; jot one sentence about how it applies today.
Re-read at night and rate yourself 1–10 on how well you lived the message.

How It Compares to Other Reflection Books

Looking for something more modern—or maybe women-centred? Check our growing roundup:
7 Best Daily Reflection Books for Recovery.

Bottom Line

If you want a straightforward, prayer-driven companion that has guided millions of AA members for 70 years, Twenty-Four Hours a Day still delivers. Come back next Thursday for our review of Just for Today.