Bibliopatriotism

After being reminded of Margery Sharp by my post last week, I naturally couldn't resist snapping up a lovely copy of Cluny Brown at a garage sale. The dustjacket would be perfect... except for the price tag that the garage salers stuck on it, which took off some of the jacket when I peeled it off. Grr. Anyway, the book is copyright 1944, and this might be the first U.S. edition; in any event, here's what it says on the back jacket flap:

"The Format of this book is designed to save paper, which is now rationed, as well as other materials. In 1941 this volume would have been larger, or thicker, or heavier, and perhaps all three of these, and might have been set in a larger type face with wider margins to the page. The size and the weight of books have increased steadily since the end of World War I; now, in World War II, the process must be reversed. But the value of a book is not to be measured by its dimensions or its weight, though it is important that it be printed in clear, readable type. What does count is its content, whether it provides good entertainment or sound information to the reader, whether it stimulates the mind, whether it is first class of its kind.

"This Company's [Little, Brown, and Company] policy of publishing 'fewer and better books' has never been more strictly followed than during this period of world crisis. We hope you will find this book helpful or entertaining. If you do not wish to add it to your permanent library, why not give it to a member of our armed forces?"

At the bottom of the flap it says "BUY WAR BONDS AND WAR STAMPS . . . GIVE BOOKS TO THE VICTORY BOOK CAMPAIGNS"

In 1944, Americans saved and rationed to pay for a war that many citizens were in favor of; in 2003, we go into greater debt than this nation has ever seen to pay for a war that many of us are NOT in favor of. In 1944, companies cut back on the details to aid in the war effort; in 2003, companies couldn't care less. In 1944 (and for that matter, in 1991), individuals could send letters and care packages to "Any Service Member" so that those who didn't have friends and family to write to them would still get some news from home; in 2003, because of "heightened security" this is no longer allowed.

When I read old books I sometimes feel a deep dismay at what we have become.

Tuesday, August 05, 2003