During World War II, while Nazis were banning books and issuing rampant propaganda, the U.S. countered by sending millions of books to American troops in the field. These pocket-sized paperbacks, as well as petite issues of domestic newspapers and miniature “overseas” editions of popular magazines– the “Armed Services Editions”–not only provided a pastime for soldiers, but served as reminders of our fight for democracy. 

Professor Molly Guptill Manning, author of “When Books Went to War” discusses the fascinating story of the Armed Services Editions and her research and collection of over 900 volumes.