My Experiences in the World War, by John J. Pershing, First Edition, Two Volume Set, 1931

Pershing, John J. My Experiences in the World War. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1931. First Edition. Two Volume Set. Rebound in 1/4 leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to the spine, gilt facsimile signatures inlays to front boards, and a new archival cloth slipcase. 

This is a first edition of John Pershing’s personal memoir, My Experiences in the World War. Issued in two volumes, the set was published by Frederick A. Stokes Company, in New York, in 1931. The books are presented rebound in 1/4 blue leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to the spine, gilt facsimile signatures inlaid to the front boards, and a new archival cloth slipcase with an inlay of Pershing. 

John J. Pershing (1860-1948) was Commander in Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. This two volume set details Pershing’s role in the American Expeditionary Forces, German Spring Offensive of 1918, and Allied cooperation after the Spring Offensive. The work is compiled from Pershing’s personal memories and experiences during World War I. 

In the Foreword, Pershing explains his reason for writing: "My primary purpose in writing this story of the American Expeditionary Forces in France is to render what I conceive to be an important service to my country. In that adventure there were many lessons useful to the American People, should they ever again be called to arms, and I felt it a duty to record them as I saw them." The book is well illustrated with black and white photographs and numerous maps, including five folding maps and 31 in-text maps. It is dedicated by Pershing to “the Unknown Soldier.”

Upon publication, the memoir was well received by critics. John Bakeless from The Outlook found the book to be "surprisingly good, and very important" and recommended the book for those interested in American military affairs because "it tells more than has ever been known about the fight behind the front with our own Allies." Charles Seymour in The Yale Review wrote that "the style is that of a military report, enlivened by excerpts from the General's diary and from correspondence which is often of the first importance." This memoir received the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1932.

CONDITION:

Very good condition. First edition, two volume set. 8vos. Rebound in 1/4 blue leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to the spine. Inlays of gilt facsimile signatures from the original binding are affixed to the front boards. New marbled endpaper. Clean interior pages. Volume I is illustrated with a frontispiece Signal Corps photograph of Pershing, 15 black and white plates, 1 folding map, and 9 in-text maps. Volume II is illustrated with a frontispiece war-time sketch of Pershing, 15 black and white plates, 4 folding maps and 22 in-text maps.

Book Dimensions: 9 11/16" H x 6 7/16" W x 1 11/16" D (each). Slipcase Dimensions: 10 1/8" H x 7 1/8" W x 4 1/8" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.