[Rarebooks] fs: Hersey pieces that launched JFK

[Back Creek Books]

Greetings All,

For your consideration, an uncommon offering of both important magazine
appearances of the Kennedy PT 109 story by John Hersey--the first appearance
and the appearance that made JFK a household name:
~
(No. 7270 )  [Kennedy, John F.] Hersey, John. A REPORTER AT LARGE: SURVIVAL
(PAGES 27-38, NEW YORKER MAGAZINE, VOL. XX, NO. 18, JUNE 17, 1944).
New York: F. R. Publishing Corporation, 1944. Magazine, Quarto, 72 pages,
color & black and white illustrations, ads. Very Good.
      This is a complete, original issue of the 'New Yorker' magazine
containing the first appearance of John Hersey's story of John F. Kennedy
and the ramming of PT-109 by a Japanese destroyer in 1943. Hersey was a
Kennedy family friend, and this article--particularly as subsequently
condensed for the widely circulated 'Reader's Digest'--established the war
hero image that was crucial to the successful launch of JFK's political
career in 1946. Many veteran PT commanders suspected that negligence led to
the quick and maneuverable PT-boat not getting out of the way of a much
larger and slower vessel. Indeed, this is the only time a PT-boat was sunk
after being rammed by the enemy in World War II. Despite that debate,
however, there is no question that young Lt. Kennedy acted with heroism in
the aftermath of the sinking. The 'New Yorker' appearance of the Hersey
story is unabridged and more scarce than the condensed 'Reader's Digest'
version published two months later. This copy of the magazine remains in
very good condition. Staples are beginning to pull through covers at spine,
though covers are still well attached. There is some separation of the
covers along the bottom 1 1/2" of the spine, some minor edge rubs, two short
tears at bottom edge of first advertising page, and a faint vertical crease
at middle of front cover. Interior pages are a bit age toned. A handsome
example of this essential Kennedy item.    $200.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/7270.jpg
~
(No. 2996 )  [Kennedy, John F.] Hersey, John. SURVIVAL: FROM A PT BASE IN
THE SOLOMONS COMES THIS NIGHTMARE EPIC OF THE WILL-TO-LIVE (PAGES 75-80,
READER'S DIGEST, V. 45, AUGUST 1944).
Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Assoc., Inc., 1944. Magazine, Duodecimo, 128
pages. Fine.
      Complete issue of Reader's Digest magazine containing John Hersey's
story of John F. Kennedy and PT-109. To put it simply, this is the article
that launched Kennedy's political career. Hersey, a Kennedy family friend,
first published this flattering account in the 'New Yorker.' But Joe
Kennedy, unhappy with the New Yorker's relatively small circulation, pressed
editor Paul Palmer for this appearance in the much more widely read
'Reader's Digest.' It was a shrewd move, and this condensed version of the
PT-109 incident proved crucial to Kennedy's early political success. Indeed,
this version was reprinted for each of JFK's subsequent campaigns, including
his 1960 presidential run. The magazine is bound in green printed covers
with a stapled binding. Only the slightest extremity rubs and a touch of
browning to the text. A truly lovely copy of this landmark Kennedy item.
$100.00
See photo: http://www.backcreekbooks.com/bookphotos/2996.jpg

=:::=:::=T E R M S=:::=:::=
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Thank you for your interest.

Best regards,

Rock Toews
Back Creek Books
Post Office Box 3540, Annapolis, MD 21403, U.S.A.
Tel. 410-626-1363 or 877-896-2669 (toll free), Fax. 815-425-8542
Web: http://www.backcreekbooks.com  ~  Email: admin at backcreekbooks.com
--
Military & Naval History, Americana, Nautical & Maritime, Marylandiana
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Today's featured book from our stock at the booksellers' cooperative,
TomFolio.com:
 Cocchia, Aldo (translated by M. Gwyer).  'The Hunters and the Hunted:
Adventures of Italian Naval Forces (Published in the U.K. as 'Submarine
Attacking').'
 Details and secure ordering:
http://www.tomfolio.com/bookdetailsmem.asp?book=2594&mem=106
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'Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.' - Benjamin Franklin, 1759