A Manual for Pioneers

by Rúḥíyyih Rabbānī

This book contains advice on everything that a pioneer (or even a stay-at-home) will need, from a copy of the Greatest Name and a photograph of 'Abdu'l Bahá in the front, to basic recipes and health hints at the back. It includes down to earth advice on where and how to go, culture shock, climate, morals, servants, mud huts, how to furnish a nest and meeting place (for almost nothing), sanitary facilities, common hazards and much much more. Rúhíyyih (Khanúm) Rabbānī herself undertook extensive travels through the five continents and as a vivifying breeze infused a new spirit into the tired bodies of the pioneers. Through this book her tender concern and gift of common sense will continue to travel to the hearts of pioneers everwhere. Her advice is as true today as it was when originally published.

287 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Rúhíyyih Rabbání (8 August 1910 – 19 January 2000), born as Mary Sutherland Maxwell and best known by the title Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, was the wife of Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith. In 1952, she was elevated to the office of Hand of the Cause of God, for which she attended to issues related to the expansion and protection of the Baháʼí Faith, and served an important role in the transfer of authority from the Guardian to the newly elected Universal House of Justice (1957 to 1963).

She was also a noted speaker from her teens and lectured frequently on the impacts of racism and prejudice. A prolific writer since her youth, Rúhíyyih Khánum was the author of several published books. She was heavily involved in ecology and environmental issues, being a co-founder of the organization Alliance of Religions and Conservation, which is an interfaith organization aimed at assisting the major religions of the world to develop environmental programs based on their own core teachings, beliefs and practices.