Plimpton, George Ames (1927-2003)

Letters in Training [World War II]

Privately Printed, 1946. Limited Edition. Cloth with paste-on title.

Original red cloth with printed label to front board.  The bindings are tight and square. Text clean, light even toning. Moderate shelf handling wear with a hint of spine lightening. 8vo; 90 pages. First Edition, First Printing.


George Plimpton's first book. Uncommon, there are no records of how many were printed.

The book consists of letters to his parents from his time in basic training to his deployment in Italy in 1946.  His parents had the letters printed, perhaps to the chagrin of their son George.  Essential biographical material on this prominent 20th century literary figure.

George Ames Plimpton was an American writer. He is widely known for his sports writing and for helping to found The Paris Review.

Plimpton is best known for his forays into the world of professional athletics: boxing with Archie Moore, pitching to Major League All-stars, quarterbacking for the Detroit Lions. Golfing with Nicklaus and Palmer …. all part of his participatory journalism.

Item #17235

Price: $350.00