Just the Facts: Book Discussion Recap from January 26

It was a cold, dark and windy February night, but eleven people still managed to make it to the book discussion group. Their presence, as always, was much appreciated.

The book discussed last night was When Books Went to War: the stories that helped us win World War II by Molly Guptill Manning. When World War II began, The United States was completely unprepared in terms of men, equipment and munitions, but also in terms of book. There were no libraries at the new bases, camps and hospitals that were being rapidly created. The American Library Association formed the Victory Book Council and cooperated with publishers to collect hardcover books from both the public and remainders from the publishers to stock the shelves of these new libraries. But hardcover, old and out of date books were not appropriate for soldiers and sailors in the field. Realizing this, the ALA and the publishers created the American Services Editions. These ASEs were small and compact, designed to fit in a soldier’s jacket or a sailor’s back pocket. They were extremely popular and helped to create a literate middle class and prepared returning servicemen for further study under the G. I. Bill once the war ended. They also resurrected The Great Gatsby from obscurity and made a classic of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I brought in my small collection of seventy year old ASEs and they were much appreciated by all. Both the authors and the publishers refused to accept royalties on these publications, but they did create the paperback industry that we now take for granted. Our discussion was lively and widespread, covering everything from the sense of unification during the war to current politics.

Our next meeting will be on February 23, 2017 at 7:00 pm. The book to be discussed, The Hare with Amber Eyes: a family’s century of art and loss by Edmund de Waal, is available at the Circulation Desk. All are welcome.