This New York Times bestselling account of books parachuted to soldiers during WWII is a “cultural history that does much to explain modern America” (USA Today). When America entered World War II in 1941, we faced an enemy that had banned and burned 100 million books. Outraged librarians launched a campaign to send free books to American troops, gathering 20 million hardcover donations. Two years … million hardcover donations. Two years later, the War Department and the publishing industry stepped in with an extraordinary program: 120 million specially printed paperbacks designed for troops to carry in their pockets and rucksacks in every theater of war.
These small, lightweight Armed Services Editions were beloved by the troops and are still fondly remembered today. Soldiers read them while waiting to land at Normandy, in hellish trenches in the midst of battles in the Pacific, in field hospitals, and on long bombing flights. This pioneering project not only listed soldiers’ spirits, but also helped rescue The Great Gatsby from obscurity and made Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, into a national icon.
“A thoroughly engaging, enlightening, and often uplifting account . . . I was enthralled and moved.” — Tim O’Brien, author of The Things They Carried
“Whether or not you’re a book lover, you’ll be moved.” — Entertainment Weekly
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When Books Went to War is the fascinating (for book nerds) story of the creation and subsequent success of the Armed Services Editions, the pocket-sized paperbacks that boosted the morale of troops stationed around the globe, revolutionized the publishing industry, and led to an increase in literacy that lasted well beyond the war. And that’s to …
I really enjoy reading “books about books”, and this history of books in World War II fit the bill. It tells the story of both the destruction of books (in the bonfires of the Nazi regime) and the birth of books (in the Armed Services Edition books, printed in the millions). The stories of how our troops enjoyed the books are sometimes funny, …
This author is very good at giving factual information in a readable format. I was interested and wanted to keep reading.
Interesting history
It was amazing to find out how paperbacks gained acceptance and popularity and how much soldiers liked to read.
A totally true story about the guys in the trenches finding a touch of home.
This book found me wondering if my dad had read any of these books. I grew up with him being a reader. Was he a reader before he went off to war or after he returned?
Who knew the power of books in making the lives of WWII soldiers a little more bearable. This true story is an easy read, but a rewarding one.
Account of how books were used in WWII to support the troops and work against Hitler. Lots of interesting stories and information!
I have learned a little about these books over the years, this book explained them in great detail.
Well researched history. Well written. Interesting. Well written. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys reading history.