These handy books were published by the U.S. government during World War II for the convenience of the G.I., so he might have good reading that would fit easily in his pocket. A non-profit organization was established by the Council on Books in Wartime to accomplish this task. An agreement was reached with publishers that the books could be printed and distributed free of charge so long as it was NOT IN THE UNITED STATES. All of the services except the Marines distributed the books to the forces. The covers of the original books were printed on the cover of each edition to encourage the purchase of the "real" book after the war. For the most part the books were reproduced "complete" and "not a digest", with the exception of a very few large works such as Big Rock Candy Mountain by Stegner & Look Homeward Angel by Thomas Wolfe, which were condensed and marked "Condensed for Wartime Reading" on the cover. Former soldiers fondly remember receiving these editions along with their rations and the mail. Because of the fragile nature of the binding and paper they are difficult to find in this good, clean condition. They are priced between $7.00 and 200.00 dollars, with some scarce literary figures commanding the higher prices. Some collectors are looking for all numbers to complete a set, while others collect their favorite authors or a single author. It is believed that there were 1300 different titles altogether with the Library of Congress holding the only complete set.
 
 

1. Adamic, Louis. THE NATIVE'S RETURN, An Autobiography: An American Immigrant Visits Yugoslavia and Discovers His Country.  (1934) Circa 1942. Armed Services Edition, B-54.
Very good. SOLD

2. Adams, Henry. THE EDUCATION OF HENRY ADAMS.
(1918) Circa 1944. Armed Services Edition, Q-40.
Rear cover dark soiling. Just Good. SOLD

3. Allen, Hervey. BEDFORD VILLAGE, A Historical Novel.
1944. Armed Services Edition, L-23.
Spine edges lightly rubbed, Very good. $15.00

4.PHOTO Asbury, Herbert. SUCKER'S PROGRESS: An Informal History of Gambling in America From the Colonies to Canfield. (1938) Circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, K-26.
Light wear, Very good. SOLD

5. Beard, Charles. THE REPUBLIC.
1943. Armed Services Edition, P-29.
Small tears at edge of spine. Very good. $15.00

6. Binns, Archie. THE LAND IS BRIGHT, A Historical Novel.
(1939) Circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, L-31.
Small tear to title page from binding flaw, tiny tears to edge of final few pages. Very good. $7.50

7. Binns, Archie. LIGHTSHIP, A Novel of the Sea.
(1934) circa 1942. Armed Services Edition, B-47.
Very good. $SOLD

8. Bowen, Catherine Drinker. YANKEE FROM OLYMPUS: Justice Holmes and His Family, A Biography. 1944. Armed Services Edition, P-32.
Tear to top edge of cover, some creases. Good. SOLD

9. Brambling, Oliver. AP: THE STORY OF NEWS.
1940. Armed Services Editon, M-29.
Edges of spine rubbed. Good. SOLD

10. Brickell, Hershchel, Selected & edited by. Assisted by Muriel Fuller.
O.HENRY MEMORIAL AWARD PRIZE STORIES OF 1943.
no date, circa 1944. Armed Services Edition, P-25.
Light edge rubbing. Very Good. $20.00

11. Canby, Henry Sidel. Whitman, Walt. WALT WHITMAN, A Biography.
1943. Armed Services Edition, K-12.
Cover rubbed, spine chipped, final page corner bent. Good. SOLD

12. Cannon, Jr. Le Grand. LOOK TO THE MOUNTAIN, A Historical Novel.
1942. Armed Services Edition, O-32.
1/2 inch chip to top edge of spine. Very good. $10.00

13. Cassidy, Henry C. MOSCOW DATELINE: 1941-1943.
1943. Armed Services Edition, G-50.
Very good. SOLD

14. Cobb, Irvin J. Intro. by. WORLD'S GREATEST HUMOROUS STORIES.
1944. Armed Services Edition, P-22.
Some tiny hole to paper from cheap stock, Good. SOLD

15. Collins, Wilkie. THE MOONSTONE, A Mystery.
No date, circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, M-29.
Corners of 6 pages bent. Very good. $20.00

16. Cronin, A.J. THE GREEN YEARS, A Novel.
1944. Armed Services Edition, Q-27.
Small chip to top edge of spine. Very good. $10.00

17. Croy, Homer. COUNTRY CURED: An Autobiography.
no date, circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, L-21.
Very good. $15.00

18. Davis, Clyde Brion. THE REBELLION OF LEO MCGUIRE: The Story of an Honest Buglar.
1944. Armed Services Edition, P-24.
Some tiny holes to edges of pages from paper-printing flaw. Very good. $20.00

19. Davis, Clyde Brion. THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL.
(1938) Circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, N-22.
Rear cover Slightly soiled. Good. SOLD

20. De Jong, David Cornel. WITH A DUTCH ACCENT: How a Hollander Became an American.
1944. Armed Services Edition, M-22.
Tear to top edge of spine & nick on bottom edge, still Very good. $10.00

21. DeJong, David Cornel. WITH A DUTCH ACCENT: How A Hollander Became an American.
1944. Armed Services Edition, M-22. Top & bottom edge of spine rubbed. Good. $7.50

22. Edmonds, Walter D. ROME HAUL, A Historical Novel.
(1929) circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, B-52. Very good. SOLD

23. Field, Rachel. TIME OUT OF MIND, A Novel.
(1935) circa 1944. Armed Services Edition, Q-32.
Tiny holes to some pages from flawed paper in printing. Very good. $10.00

24. Fowler, Gene. GOOD NIGHT, SWEET PRINCE: The Life and Times of John Barrymore.
1944. Armed Services Edition, J-300.
Corner of rear cover & final 4 page corners bent. Good. $10.00

25. Freuchen, Peter. ARCTIC ADVENTURE: My Life in the Frozen North.
(1935) Circa 1942. Armed Services Edition, B-60.
Slight rub to front cover, Very Good. SOLD

26. Gaither, Frances. THE RED COCK CROWS, A Historical Novel.
1944. Armed Services Edition, O-27.
Small chip to top edge of spine. Very good. $25.00

27. Goodrich, Marcus. DELILAH, A Novel.
1941. Armed Services Edition, B-59.
Very good. $15.00

28. Graves, Robert. I, CLAUDIUS, A Historical Novel.
(1934) Circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, L-27.
Light wear to spine & spine edge. Very good. SOLD

29. Gray, George W. SCIENCE AT WAR.
No date circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, L-22.
Tiny holes in some pages from flawed paper.1 corner slightly bent,Spin rub. Very good. SOLD

30. Grayson, Capt. Charles, edited by. NEW STORIES FOR MEN. Condensed for Wartime Reading.
1941. Armed Services Edition, M-28.
Small chips to top & bottom edge of spine. Very good. SOLD

31. Heiden, Konrad. DER FUEHRER: Hitler's Rise to Power.
1944. Armed Services Edition, M-30.
Very good. SOLD

32. Hellman, Thurber, Chororov, Kingsley. FOUR MODERN AMERICAN PLAYS: Watch on the Rhine, Male Animal, Junior Miss & Patriots. No date, circa 1944. Armed Services Editon, M-23.
Spine edges rubbed, tiny chip to top edge of spine. Good. $10.00

33. Helmericks, Constance. WE LIVE IN ALASKA.
1944. Armed Services Editon, O-26.
Tiny holes to edge of some pages from binding flaw. Chip top edge of spine. Good. $10.00

34. Hergesheimer, Joseph. THE THREE BLACK PENNYS, A Historical Novel.
(1930) circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, O-24.
Open edge slightly curled. Good. $10.00

35. Herring, Hubert. GOOD NEIGHBORS: ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, CHILE And Seventeen Other Countries. 1941. Armed Services Edition, B-57.
Small tear to bottom edge of spine, Very good. SOLD

36. Hough, Henry Beetle. COUNTRY EDITOR: A Yankee Editor's Story of his Work, His Town and Its People. 1940. Armed Services Edition, M-21.
Very good. $15.00

37. James, M.R. SELECTED GHOST STORIES OF M. R. JAMES.
1944. Armed Services Edition, O-28.
Tiny chip to top edge of spine. Very good. $25.00

38. James, Marquis. ANDREW JACKSON: The Border Captain.
(1933) Circa 1943. Armed Services Editon, K-23.
1 inch split on edge of spine. Good. $15.00

39. Johnson, Osa. FOUR YEARS IN PARADISE: The Johnsons In Africa.
1942. Armed Services Edition, L-32.
Slight cover creasing, tiny holes to final 10 pages. Still Very good. $15.00

40. Kane, Harnett. THE BAYOUS OF LOUISIANA.
1943. Armed Services Edition, J-294.
Tiny holes in paper from printing-paper flaw. $25.00

41. Kossak, Zofia. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, A Novel About St. Francis ov Assissi.
1944. Armed Services Edition, O-30. Top of spine with 1/2 inch tear. Still Very good. $10.00

42. Laing, Alexander. THE SEA WITCH: A Historical Novel.
(1933) Circa 1944. Armed Services Edition, Q-38. 1/2 inch chip to top of spine. Good. SOLD

43. Lewis, Sinclair. BABBITT, A Novel.
(1922) circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, K-24.
Small chip to bottom edge of spine. Very good. $25.00

44. London, Jack. MARTIN EDEN, A Novel.
(1908) Circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, N-28.
Chips top & bottom edge of spine, slight rubbing to spine edge. Very good. $45.00

45. MacInnes, Helen. WHILE STILL WE LIVE, A Novel.
1944. Armed Services Editon, M-32.
Tiny holes in edge of pages from printing flaw. Light Wear. Good. $10.00

46. Mann, Thomas. SELECTED SHORT STORIES OF THOMAS MANN.
(1936) Circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, L-28.
Light rubbing to edges of spine. Very good. $25.00

47. Marquand, John P. WICKFORD POINT, A Novel.
(1930) Circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, L-26. Some page damage from printing flaw. Good. $10.00

48. Maugham, Somerset. THE RAZOR'S EDGE, A Novel.
1944. Armed Services Edition, Q-31.
Very good. SOLD

49. McMeekin, Clark. RECKON WITH THE RIVER, A Historical Novel.
1941. Armed Services Edition, Q-30.
Top edge of spine worn. Very good. $10.00

50. McMeekin, Clark. SHOW ME A LAND, A Historical Novel.
1940. Armed Services Edition, M-27.
Very good. $15.00

51. O'Hara, Mary. MY FRIEND FLICKA.
1941. Armed Services Edition, B-49.
AAF stamp on title page. Very good. SOLD

52. O'Neill, Eugene. SELECTED PLAYS OF EUGENE O'NEILL.
1940. Armed Services Edition, Q-35.
Tiny holes to page edge from printing flaw. Very Good. SOLD

53. Paden, Irene D. THE WAKE OF THE PRAIRIE SCHOONER: The Story of Pioneer Trails.
Not date, circa 18943. Armed Services Editon, J-295.
Very good. $25.00

54. Poe, Edgar Allan. SELECTED STORIES OF EDGAR ALLAN POE.
No date, circa 1942. Armed Services Edition, J-297.
Bottom edge of spine split, Good. SOLD

55.PHOTO Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnan. CROSS CREEK, A Novel.
No date, circa 1942. Armed Services Edition, D-112.
Cover slight crease, Light word in ink on cover. Very good. SOLD

56. Roberts, Kenneth. THE LIVELY LADY, A Hsitorical Novel.
(1931) Circa 1944. Armed Services Edition, Q-29.
Tiny holes to page edges from printing flaw. Very Good. SOLD

57. Sandoz, Mari. SLOGUM HOUSE, A Novel.
(1937) circa 1944. Armed Services Editon, P-28.
Spine rubbed. Good. $10.00

58. Seghers, Anna. THE SEVENTH CROSS, A Novel.
1942. Armed Services Edition, Q-33. Very good. $15.00

59. Seton, Anya. DRAGONWYCK, A Historical Novel.
1944. Armed Services Edition, P-27.
Some tiny holes to page edges from paper-printing flaw. Very good. $15.00

60. Shapley, Harlow, Samuel Rapport and Helen Wright. edited by. A TREASURY OF SCIENCE.
1943. Armed Services Edition, P-31. Very good. $20.00

61. Smith, Lillian. STRANGE FRUIT, A Novel.
1944. Armed Services Edition, Q-32.
Light cover wear, Very good. $25.00

62. Spalding, Albert. RISE TO FOLLOW, An Autobiography.
1943. Armed Services Edition, K-32. Very good. $25.00

63. Spence, Hartzell. GET THEE BEHIND ME...My Life As a Preacher's Son.
1942. Armed Services Edition, B-48. Very good. $10.00

64. Stegner, Wallace. THE BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN: Condensed For Wartime Reading.
1943. Armed Services Edition, N-32.
Very good. SOLD

65. Sterne, Laurence. TRISTRAM SHANDY, A Novel. Condensed for Wartime Reading.
No date, circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, K-31.
Slight wear to bottom edge of spine, Very good. SOLD

66. Sturgis, Robert. MEN LIKE GOD, A Novel of Men and Oil.
1944. Armed Services Edition, O-23.
Tiny holes to edges of some pages from printing-paper flaws. Very good. $15.00

67. Taylor, ross McLaury. THE SADDLE AND THE PLOW: An Historical Novel.
1942. Armed Services Edition, Q-28. Slight rubbing to spine edge, Very good. $15.00

68. Thackeray, William Makepeace. VANITY FAIR, Condensed for Wartime Reading.
No date, circa 1944. Armed Services Edition, J-296. Cover & spine rubbed. Just good. SOLD

69. Tutt, Ephraim. YANKEE LAWYER, The Autobiography of Ephraim Tutt.
1943. Armed Services Edition, K-25. Very good. $25.00

70. Upson, William Haxlett. BOTTS IN WAR, BOTTS IN PEACE.
No date, circa 1943. Armed Services Edition, P-21.
Tiny holes to edges of some pages from printing-poor paper flaws. Very good. SOLD

71. Walker, Mildred. WINTER WHEAT, A Novel.
1944. Armed Services Editon, K-21. Cover creases. Good. $10.00

72. Werner, M.R. BARNUM, A Biography.
(1923) Circa 1944. Armed Services Edition, M-26.
Tiny page edge holes from binding-paper flaw. Very good. $25.00

73.PHOTO Weston, Christine. INDIGO, A Novel.
1943. Armed Services Edition, M-25.
One corner slightly bent throughout. Very good. SOLD

74. White, E. B. ONE MAN'S MEAT.
1944. Armed Services Edition, P-26.
1 inch tear to spine, chip to bottom edge, Good. SOLD
 

75. Williams, Ben Ames. LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN.
1944. Armed Services Edition, O-29. Cover with small creases. Good. $15.00

76. Wolfe, Thomas. LOOK HOMEWARD ANGEL. Condensed for Wartime Reading.
(1929) Circa 1944. Armed Services Edition, O-31. Top of spine chipped. Very good. SOLD

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