The Power of the Written Word in World War II
September 27 – December 30, 2023
Curated by Molly Guptill Manning
During World War II—a time of rampant propaganda, censorship, and Nazi book bans in Europe—the United States military sent troops into battle armed not only with weapons, but with ideas. The U.S. publishing industry created pocket-sized paperback books called “Armed Services Editions,” as well as petite issues of domestic newspapers and miniature “overseas” editions of popular magazines. In total, more than 1 billion periodicals and 123 million paperbacks were distributed to 16 million American troops. In the words of the New York Post in 1945, the United States had “the best-read Army in the world,” and these readers returned home with an unquenchable reading habit, revolutionizing the book and magazine industries. The Best-Read Army in the World features approximately 225 pieces from the collection of Molly Guptill Manning (best-selling author and associate professor of law, New York Law School), including miniature books and periodicals, photographs, posters, artwork, propaganda leaflets, and letters. Highlights include rare prototypes for the troop-friendly publications, a bundle of Armed Services Editions in its original packaging, a U.S. army librarian uniform, and a display on World War II-era book bans. The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue published by the Grolier Club.
The Grolier Club is free and open to the public Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Visit the exhibition in person or online, or view case images via Flickr.
The Grolier Club 