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When Books Went to War
When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II | Molly Guptill Manning
63 posts | 45 read | 99 to read
Chronicles the joint effort of the U.S. government, the publishing industry and the nation's librarians to boost troop morale during World War II by shipping 120 million books to the front lines for soldiers to read during what little downtime they had. 35,000 first printing.
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review
MonicaLoves2Read
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Pickpick

I had no idea that the US Government sent paperbacks to our military men during WWII. It started when the Nazis started burning books that were written by Jews or anyone else they found inferior to them. Millions of books were sent to the troops. They started out just sending a few, but soon they were reaching the million mark. The troops would pass the books around their units. Sometimes they would even trade cigarettes to be moved up ⬇️

MonicaLoves2Read the waiting list, if it was a popular book.
Our Allies military men were jealous and wondered why their governments didn't send them books. I think anyone interested in books or military history would enjoy this book.

😊 Happy Reading 😊
#readaway2024 #audiobook #bookspinbingo
5mo
16 likes1 comment
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LibraryCin
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Mehso-so

Unfortunately, this book didn‘t always hold my interest. There were chapters on politics, and censorship, but I was most interested in the soldiers themselves. There was some description of the fighting and such, but the author also included comments on what the soldiers thought of the books that were sent. The last chapter also talked about how many soldiers became readers who hadn‘t been before the war. Cont in comments...

LibraryCin This chapter also talked about how to help the soldiers when they came home. Overall, though, due to me losing interest more than I would have liked, I‘m rating it “ok”. 7mo
8 likes1 comment
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

We learned a lot about book programs designed to provide reading material for soldiers during WWII. You wouldn‘t think it could possibly be a political issue but it was. One of the programs even got entangled in a voting bill. After we finished that, we started Rachel Maddow‘s Prequel, and I listened to Deanna Raybourn‘s A Curious Beginning on my #audiowalk. The Blue Angels were practicing above us.

Blueberry The Blue Angels were practicing above me too! Are you in the Bay Area or do they have more than one set of Blue Angels? 8mo
KathyWheeler @Blueberry I live in Mobile, but we were down at the Gulf Island National Seashore. 8mo
27 likes2 comments
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alysonimagines
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Discovered that the Elgin Public Library, my new library home base, has yet another book I donated on display. Yay! 😊 It feels so good to know my previously owned books have a new home and a second chance at life, just like me as I‘m settling into my new home. ❤️

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TheDaysGoBy
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Pickpick

This was so fascinating! A look at how the US worked to get books to those serving in WWII - with a large degree of success. The evolution of it all was so interesting. Highly recommend

MonicaLoves2Read Sound interesting. Going to have to see if my library or the Libby App has it 😊 2y
34 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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iread2much

I love learning from what I read, although learning about Title V did not make me happy. I had no idea that the Republican Party forced censorship onto the reading materials sent to servicemen overseas, and made it more difficult for service people to vote, because they wanted to try to stop people from voting for FDR. I guess more people should know this history so we stop repeating the mistakes of the past

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Texreader
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If you haven‘t grabbed this book yet now‘s your chance. The ebook is still on sale. I loved the audio of the book and I‘d listen/read it again in a heartbeat. It was brilliant and could vie for your best read of the year.

45 likes2 stack adds
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Texreader
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Pickpick

This book is about books. Books burned. Books saved. Books censored. It‘s the story about the Armed Services Edition of books that fit in soldiers‘ pockets so they could take and read them in foxholes and anywhere else. But the book is also about the Nazi book burnings, an attempt at censorship in the USA, and so much more. It‘s an excellent audiobook but I want the book-book now so I can mark up the countless brilliant quotes. 5+ stars

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Texreader
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With the cooperation of other authors, HG Wells established the Library of Burned Books, which opened in Paris in the spring of 1934. The library housed copies of all books banned or burned by the Nazis, and held in safekeeping writings and books donated by German refugees and anyone else who felt their books might be at risk.

tpixie Very interesting! 4y
SamAnne Wow. Did not know this. 4y
43 likes2 comments
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Texreader
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Helen Keller: “You can burn my books and the books of the best minds in Europe, but the ideas in them have seeped through a million channels and will continue to quicken other minds.”

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Texreader
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Started listening to this audiobook yesterday. Oh my goodness, if you love books this is the book for you. It‘s not only about supplying books to our troops, but about the Nazi book burning. Did you know that Helen Keller wrote to the German government when it put her book on the burn list? Did you know HG Wells started a library for the books Germany was burning? Countless brilliant quotes throughout so far.

kspenmoll Sounds fascinating! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I came across this the other day and added it to my Hoopla favorites going to get to it eventually. This review makes it sound even better than it already did! 4y
Emily92Bibliophile Such. A. Great. Book. ❤️📚❤️ 4y
77 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Insightsintobooks
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Emily92Bibliophile An AMAZING book! 💙💙 4y
TNbookworm I loved this book! 4y
36 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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goodbyefrancie
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Catching up on housework and listening to #Audible. I'm determined to remain distracted by books for the entire weekend. Weekends are for recharging.

#Essential

82 likes1 stack add
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Readswithcoffee
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Pickpick

This is a nonfiction account of the development of the Armed Services Editions (ASEs) - books provided to those serving in the United States military during WWII. The impact of ASEs on the lives of the soldiers was beyond anything I would have ever imagined. I learned a lot.

17 likes1 stack add
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WanderingBookaneer
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Readswithcoffee Thanks for the heads up on this! 5y
63 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Jen2
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Pickpick

Wonderful story!!

Nebklvr Loved this!! 5y
TNbookworm Loved this book so much! 5y
Readswithcoffee I‘ve just started listening to this audiobook. It is fascinating so far. 5y
104 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Gina
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How cool is this...♡♡♡

#WWII

Nute I read this. It was fascinating! 6y
Gina @Nute oh neat. Thanks for the comment! 6y
10 likes2 comments
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SW-T
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Love this old poster 📚📚😊

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Aims42
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Congrats on your milestone @LaurenReads 🎉🎉🎉 ‘When Books Went to War‘ is a favorite nonfiction book of mine. Even though it‘s about a tough subject (WWII) it makes my heart smile reading how books had such a impact on our soldiers overseas, and how important reading is 💗 Thanks for hosting this fun giveaway #hundredgrand 😊

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Aims42
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1. ‘When Books Went to War‘; it shows how something as simple as books have such an impact on people‘s lives. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys reading 👍🏻
2. I‘d love to get to Boston someday
3. @kellyann28 thank you💜! I‘ve got my fingers crossed 🤞🏼

kellyann28 Thanks for entering! 6y
Aims42 @kellyann28 thank you for doing this! 6y
10 likes2 comments
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Aims42
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Re-reading a favorite until my next read comes in the mail. Ugh, have to wait until Monday to get it, don‘t think I‘ll get it tomorrow 😕

LisaJo Lovely bookmark. 7y
Aims42 Thanks @LisaJo, it‘s one of my favorite bookmarks, I got it from @Babiesandbooks Etsy shop 💖 7y
Bookartbookmarks Looks cozy!! 7y
Aims42 @Babiesandbooks I‘m so ready for spring to come, tired of 30s and wind. Blah! It is cozy reading weather so there is that ☺️🍷📚🕯🛋 7y
30 likes4 comments
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AlaMich
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Trying to get out of my #readingslump with this #bookaboutbooks. I seem to be in a mood where even the slightest thing that irritates me about a book causes me to DNF it. I gave this book to my uncle, who only reads non-fiction, and then he gave it back to me to read. Win-win!! 😊

tomes4gnomes I‘m going through the same thing — I‘ve DNF‘d 3 books in the last week! Reading slumps are REAL. 🤷‍♀️ 7y
AlaMich @tomes4gnomes Absolutely!! ☹️ 7y
OrangeMooseReads It is a good book. Incredibly interesting. 7y
44 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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callielafleur
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❤️ My bookish haul came mostly from @Lwiesman in my amazing #ssgp box. I also got a Handbook for the Recently Deceased journal!
❤️ For NYE we always hang out with my BiL and his family, play Magic the Gathering (I know) and get Chinese takeout.
❤️ My mom made Irish cream for our Christmas morning coffee. Yum.
❤️ Different editions of A Christmas Carol.
❤️ Come to the land of the ice and snow....

Last #HumpDayPost of the year! Thanks @MinDea 😍

julesG My kids and I would join you for a bit of Magic. 😉 7y
TK421 From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow. 7y
MiyakoBunny I have the Handbook for the Recently Deceased Purse 👜 it‘s one of my Fave items too 🖤🖤🖤 I want the Journal so bad ♥️♥️♥️😍😍😍 Lucky🍀! 7y
See All 6 Comments
callielafleur @julesG it's so fun, isn't it? Why am I so embarrassed to admit that I play? 😂 @TK421 👏🤘 @MiyakoBunny ooooo purse of this would be such a fun accessory! ❤️❤️ 7y
MinDea 🎶The hammer of the gods 7y
DGRachel I was so hoping someone would do this song! 7y
93 likes6 comments
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Emily92Bibliophile
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Me and Grandad reading our bookish gifts! I gave G Dad one of my favorite books, When Books Went to War, and he LOVES it so far! Fun fact about what I love about G Dad: he has a memory of an elephant, and loves reciting ballads, poems, recitations, and etc. of history. He does so with humor and spunk. He is my Bookish Grandfather and we love sharing stories! MERRY CHRISTMAS friends !! 🎄

AceOnRoam He sounds awesome. Merry Christmas 7y
JessClark78 Merry Christmas! 7y
28 likes2 comments
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callielafleur
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#MostWantedTopFive

Uncommon Type - Tom Hanks
Pachinko - Min Jin Lee
The Devil's Rooming House - M William Phelps
How the Right Lost Its Mind - Charles J Sykes
When Books Went to War - Molly Guptill Manning

A little extra help for my swap person! 😎😎

Bookwormjillk When Books Went to War is so good! 7y
54 likes1 comment
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MKbookworm
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“Wells protested Germany‘s actions by providing a refuge for endangered titles. With the cooperation of other authors, Wells established the Library of Burned Books, which opened in Paris in the spring of 1934. The library housed copies of all books banned or burned by the Nazis, and held in safekeeping writings and books donated by German refugees and anyone who felt their books might be at risk” #protest #quotsynov17

MKbookworm This is a fascinating read. I highly recommend it. 7y
JazzFeathers Never known about this bit of history. Fascinating. Thanks for sharing 7y
23 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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bookdrunkard78
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September's #MostAnticipated books are the top and bottom ones which are taking me way too long to finish. Plus, the two in the middle - one being for #RavenMail . Plus a few others lined up for swaps, etc. #FallintoBooks

28 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Lidia
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Part of the history section at the bookstore yesterday. I just wanted to get #allthebooks ! #itshistory #anditsaugust

BookBabe Um, is that the Amazon Bookstore by any chance? 🙊 Love the covers-out format and the blurbs beneath each book! 😍 Also, I read Dead Wake and it's fabulous. I bet @MrBook has read others here...he's quite the history buff. 7y
Lidia @BookBabe yes it is! I was in San Diego this weekend and just had to go and take a look. I also loved how they organized everything in each section and the blurbs were really helpful. Dead Wake sounded so interesting :) 7y
36 likes2 comments
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Emily92Bibliophile
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Pickpick

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️????? This book is AMAZING and you got to read it! The author shows how books helped WWII soldiers stay connected and " feel human", and how publishers, libraries, and librarians fought for the freedom of thought, speech,&books to be given to our soldiers in a war that was taking away freedom of thought and speech. Again, READ THIS BOOK- I cannot recommend this book more, and it is my favorite book read so far of 2017??????

Emily92Bibliophile ⬆️Also I bought this book in NYC last weekend at the NYC Public Library - so glad I did!! 7y
37 likes6 stack adds1 comment
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Emily92Bibliophile
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Spending a couple hours at the New York Public Library- I am in love with it!! At checkout after having a nice conversation with the library worker, and remarking my library was not even using credit cards yet, she gave me a librarian discount!! 📚📚

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Aims42
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!! Everyone who enjoys WWII history and everyone who just loves books needs to read this. I highly recommend it!!

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Aims42
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This so true!!

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Aims42
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I'm starting 'When Books Went to War' by Molly Guptill Manning today to celebrate our nation's freedom. Thank you to our brave servicemen and servicewomen for making our way of life possible!! 🎉❤️🎉

15 likes1 stack add
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transemr
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Pickpick
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drokka
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What might be required to make important changes is a reason to have the military disagree with a (potential) federal law, or an alteration to one. #resistance

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drokka
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This section deals with absentee ballots for service men and other necessary wartime positions away from home during the war and Taft's inclusion of Title V. The Title was about the exclusion of anything that could be considered propaganda also being sent to those potential voters.

The freedom to vote vs. Censorship during a war that was in large part about the loss of freedoms. Apparently, this stuff isn't new in democracies.

rockpools This sounds fascinating! 7y
57 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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drokka
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I don't know if books that included sex/seduction had been called trashy before, but I find it interesting that the service men didn't seem to think so.

They did however end up getting the books they wanted. 🙂

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Loved this book! I had to get on ebay and get some Armed Services Editions of some books just to have on my shelf. I like thinking about where those books have been! 7y
drokka @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I was wondering if any had survived. I think knowing they have more history than the usual mass published books of today. I think it's also interesting that some of the titles chosen as ASEs are still widely read by service men and women (at least in the Marines). My understanding is that while not officially required reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn still makes its way to the front lines. I'm not American and want one. 7y
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
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emilyesears
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Pickpick

A fantastic read about the importance of books and reading to democracy. Details how WWII was not just a physical battle, but also a battle of ideas. It was Nazi Germany's book burning and censorship vs. USA's sending millions of books to troops at the front in special Armed Services Editions. Anyone who loves reading should read this book. Also, librarians should read it too as it showcases our beloved values, particularly that of access for all.

drokka I'm reading this at the moment and fully agree that anyone interested in books, libraries, the value of fighting censorship with words, and empowering people through words. Also, I think it shows the struggle of wanting to support troops through donations but being selective about gains had through the depression era. 7y
Hollie I loved this one, especially where A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (my fav) was discussed! 7y
emilyesears @Hollie I really want to read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! I‘ve got it on my 2018 TBR. 7y
emilyesears @drokka This is the kind of book that I want to shove into people‘s hands. I still think about this book a lot. 7y
27 likes4 comments
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smilingshelves
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The only one on my TBR that's war related. Thank you to all our brave soldiers. #inmemoriam #maybookflowers
@RealLifeReading

11 likes1 stack add
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MKbookworm
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A moving piece written by author Betty Smith in the days following D-Day #inmemoriam #maybookflowers #memorialday

Bklover Oh my. 😥 7y
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drokka
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Not that I'm fond of wars, but I have to say that I'm rather pleased there was a rethink about paperbacks. I commute a lot and hardcovers are a pain in the patootie (a beautiful as many are) I prefer the penalty of waiting for paperbacks (most of the time). #warchangeseverything

Jennick2004 I very much prefer reading a paperback...I can hold it with one hand 😝 7y
Nat_Reads I too prefer paperbacks! Most of my friends judge me for that lol!! 7y
53 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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LeahBergen
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Today's thrift shop find. During WWII, American librarians campaigned to send reading material overseas to soldiers and, with the help of the War Dept. and the publishing industry, eventually sent over 120 million books. This effort turned A Tree Grows in Brooklyn into a bestseller and saved The Great Gatsby from obscurity.
#BooksAboutBooks

LeeRHarry This looks fascinating 😊 8y
readinginthedark A friend of mine told me this is so good! I've been meaning to read it! 8y
Bradleygirl Totally looking this up 8y
See All 10 Comments
Nebklvr This was great on audio--very interesting! 8y
LeahBergen @LeeRHarry It does, doesn't it?? 8y
LeahBergen @readinginthedark Oh, that's good to hear! 👍🏼 8y
LeahBergen @Nebklvr I bet it was. 👍🏼 8y
ValerieAndBooks Stacking! I just came across that story about The Great Gatsby in my current read! 8y
LeahBergen @ValerieAndBooks Oh, I've been eyeing that book, too! 8y
99 likes10 stack adds10 comments
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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

A great nonfiction audio book detailing the lengths the US went through to build WWII soldier morale by providing books!! Wonderful. I learned tons!

49 likes3 stack adds
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Nebklvr
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So this isn't what I thought it would be, but so far it is very interesting! This details the massive push for book donations to supply to the Soldiers during WWII. Librarians saw books as a way to emphasize the difference between US and Nazi Germany culture. We were donating while they were burning. The magnitude of acquiring that many books...amazing!

Texreader Didn't know that and it is fascinating thing to know! 8y
Nebklvr It is very good so far! 8y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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cizzy
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Reasons we read #257: So history won't repeat itself. #freepress