SKU: 20459037739

When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II

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When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War IINEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Heartwarming." New York Times "Whether or not you're a book lover, you'll be moved." Entertainment Weekly "A readable, accessible addition to World War II literature and] a book that will be enjoyed by lovers of books about books." Boston Globe "Four stars out of four] . . . A cultural history that does much to explain modern America." USA Today When America entered World War II in 1941, we faced an enemy that had banned and

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"Heartwarming." -- New York Times

"Whether or not you're a book lover, you'll be moved." -- Entertainment Weekly

"A readable, accessible addition to World War II literature and] a book that will be enjoyed by lovers of books about books." -- Boston Globe

"Four stars out of four] . . . A cultural history that does much to explain modern America." -- USA Today

When America entered World War II in 1941, we faced an enemy that had banned and burned 100 million books. Outraged librarians launched a campaign to send free books to American troops and gathered 20 million hardcover donations. In 1943, the War Department and the publishing industry stepped in with an extraordinary program: 120 million small, lightweight paperbacks for troops to carry in their pockets and rucksacks in every theater of war. These Armed Services Editions were beloved by the troops and are still fondly remembered today. Soldiers read them while waiting to land at Normandy, in hellish trenches in the midst of battles in the Pacific, in field hospitals, and on long bombing flights. They helped rescue The Great Gatsby from obscurity and made Betty Smith, author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, into a national icon. When Books Went to War is the inspiring story of the Armed Services Editions, and a treasure for history buffs and book lovers alike.

"A thoroughly engaging, enlightening, and often uplifting account . . . I was enthralled and moved." -- Tim O'Brien, author of The Things They Carried


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Mariner Books
Published: 10/27/2015
ISBN: 9780544570405
Pages: 304
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.20w x 0.80d

Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 02/21/2016 pg. 28
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SKU: 20459037739

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4.5 ★★★★★
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Kailyn
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 3
Not the best.
Size: 16.5 Inch, Color: Rustic Brown, Size: 16.5 Inch, Color: Rustic Brown
The wood style is burned wood without any sealant. I would have given a better rating but some of the shelving was bowed which makes it not look as appealing. Pretty easy to install. Definitely will need your impact. I can’t imagine trying to do that with a hand held screwdriver. With the wood being bent the quality isn’t what I would want it to be. It can hold a decent amount of weight. But certainly not made for books. Even with wall anchors. It gives you the option to hang it as shown in its picture or the other way where the supports are flipped.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026
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Miah
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Solid Floating Shelves 🛠️🏠
Color: Black, Number Of Shelves: 4, Size: 15.7in
I have installed four sets of the black floating shelves in my office. They are made of high quality materials, featuring a sophisticated black woodgrain finish with a natural texture. Supposedly, each unit can handle up to 22 pounds, though I would not recommend testing that limit with your vintage bowling ball collection if you value your flooring. They are awesome. The value is good for a set of two. Each shelf measures 22x7x1 (56x17x3 cm) inches, providing a decent amount of storage for books or decor. The installation was straightforward since the hardware for multiple wall types was included. They work well in the kitchen for spices or in the bedroom for personal belongings. One tip for a secure fit: use a level during installation and make sure the bracket is flush against the wall before sliding the shelf on, or your photos might look like they are sliding off a mountain 📐 These shelves offer a clean, modern look and stay stable once mounted correctly. They are a practical choice for adding functional display space to any room 🖼️
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Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2026
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Tyler Kline
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Good looking shelves and easy install - skip the included drywall anchors
Color: Black, Number Of Shelves: 2, Size: 22in
I installed these shelves in a bedroom to get things off my dresser and some decor. Once mounted they look really nice. The black finish looks clean and modern and they blend in well with the room. Installation was pretty straightforward. The metal bracket mounts to the wall first and then the shelf slides over the bracket. As long as you take your time lining things up it’s a simple project. One thing I strongly recommend is not using the white plastic self-drilling drywall anchors that come with the kit. I’ve used that style before on other projects and they tend to strip out easily and leave larger holes in drywall. I used better anchors instead and the shelves mounted much more securely. The rest of the hardware worked fine and once installed the shelves feel solid and hold items well. Pros - Clean modern look - Easy installation - Feels solid once mounted - Good size for books or decor Cons - The small level included isn’t very accurate — use your own level - One of the metal brackets was slightly bent out of the box but straightened out easily Helpful tip: Use your own level and better drywall anchors if you have them. It makes installation easier and the shelves will mount much more securely. Final thoughts: For the price these are nice looking floating shelves that install easily and work well for light storage and decor.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2026
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Coffman, H
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Cheap, and effective!
Color: Black, Number Of Shelves: 4, Size: 15.7in
Looks good, works great, low cost. I'll be purchasing more in the future.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 4
Cute for coffee bar!
Color: Black, Number Of Shelves: 4, Size: 15.7in
Great for above my coffee bar. Easy to mount and align. Seems stable!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2026

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