New York: Viking Press, 1942. First edition. A Near Fine book in a Very Good+ dust jacket. Book with slight wear at the crown and top-stain a bit faded. Jacket with slight toning and wear at the extremities, but overall a clean example of Steinbeck's WWII non-fiction.

"Steinbeck, in conjunction with photographer John Swope traveled more than 20,000 miles in 30 days, documenting the work it takes to form a bomber team. This work is a non-fiction account of his time with several Air Force bomber teams. Steinbeck uses his uncanny understanding of and interest in people to bring these personal stories to life" (National Steinbeck Center). The project was of particular interest to the Book Section of the Office of War Information, which hoped it would influence public perceptions of the war. "John Steinbeck reveals in this book...how American boys from all over the country and from every kind of background are being forced into the bomber teams that are today carrying the battle to Europe, the Near East, and the Pacific. He takes six typical men who are now in the Army Air Forces and tells the personal story of each...They are pilot, navigator, bombardier, crew chief, gunner, and radio man -- the six jobs that make up a bomber crew" (OWI). Near Fine in Very Good + dust jacket. (Item #4770)