To Hell and Back
New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1949. 3rd Printing. Hard Cover. Near Fine / Very Good. Item #2306717
3rd printing. Includes original jacket. Tiny chip from jacket spine head.
274 pp. Jacket art initialed 'JK.' A scarce trade edition of the popular military biography which sold out of its first several printings before it was published. First edition copies are quite scarce, and trade edition copies including the original jacket are becoming scarce as well. "A complete case history of a combat man of World War 2. During World War II, Murphy fought as an infantryman in Sicily, at Anzio, in Rome, through France, and into Germany, becoming the most decorated soldier in American history." "The classic bestselling war memoir by the most decorated American soldier in World War II. Originally published in 1949, To Hell and Back was a smash bestseller for fourteen weeks and later became a major motion picture starring Audie Murphy as himself. More than fifty years later, this classic wartime memoir is just as gripping as it was then. Desperate to see action but rejected by both the marines and paratroopers because he was too short, Murphy eventually found a home with the infantry. He fought through campaigns in Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. Although still under twenty-one years old on V-E Day, he was credited with having killed, captured, or wounded 240 Germans. He emerged from the war as America's most decorated soldier, having received twenty-one medals, including our highest military decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor. To Hell and Back is a powerfully real portrayal of American GI's at war." The author later became a popular film star: "Audie Murphy returned to a hero's welcome in the United States. His photograph appeared on the cover of Life magazine, and actor James Cagney persuaded him to embark on an acting career. Still shy and unassuming, Murphy arrived in Hollywood with only his good looks and — by his own account — "no talent." Nevertheless, he went on to make more than 40 films. His first part was just a small one in the 1948 film "Beyond Glory." The following year, he published his wartime memoir, "To Hell and Back," which received positive reviews. In 1955, he portrayed himself in the movie version of the book. Many film critics, however, believe that his best performance was "The Red Badge of Courage," director John Huston's 1951 Civil War epic based on the novel by Stephen Crane." (Arlington National Cemetery)
Price: $725.00