All Night Long. A Novel of Guerrilla Warfare in Russia.
New York: The Book League of America, 1942.
An inscribed specimen of Erskine Caldwell’s gritty World War II novel, capturing the brutal reality of the Russian partisan resistance.
Moving away from the Southern Gothic themes of 'Tobacco Road', Caldwell utilized his first-hand experiences as a correspondent in the Soviet Union to craft this cinematic portrayal of guerrilla sabotage against the German occupation. This copy is inscribed by Caldwell in his distinctive, abbreviated late-hand style, originating from the Michael Preston collection of author correspondence. While a Book Club Edition, the presence of a verified signature from one of America’s most controversial mid-century realists elevates it into a specialized category for collectors of war literature and Southern authors.
KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Original dust jacket featuring a high-contrast action illustration of partisan warfare.
+++ Binding: Publisher's blue cloth with red title blocks and gilt-stamped lettering to the spine and front board.
+++ Content: Narrative of guerrilla warfare in the USSR; includes Caldwell’s visceral descriptions of the 'Scorched Earth' policy.
+++ Signature/Provenance: Inscribed by Erskine Caldwell in a highly abbreviated late-hand style, consistent with known rushed or informal signatures; from the Michael Preston correspondence collection of author-requested autographs.
+++ Imprint: New York: The Book League of America, 1942. Book Club Edition (BCE).
+++ Specs: 8.25 inches tall; 283 pages.
CONDITION: Good / Fair.
+++ The Book: The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean with light, even age-toning throughout. The cloth shows moderate shelf handling wear and light rubbing to the corners.
+++ The Jacket: The original dust jacket has been trimmed to eliminate edge wear. The spine is sunned/faded, and there is general shelf rubbing. Now housed in a removable archival sleeve to prevent further deterioration.
SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ War Correspondence Fiction: Serves as a primary example of how 1940s journalists transitioned their reporting into propaganda-adjacent fiction to bolster Allied sentiment for the Soviet front.
+++ Literary Transition: Marks a significant departure for Caldwell, demonstrating his versatility and his commitment to the 'People’s War' narrative of the early 1940s.
+++ Signature Study: The Preston provenance provides a critical benchmark for identifying Caldwell’s later, more hurried signature style, often found in response to mail-in collector requests.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
In 1941, Caldwell was one of the few American journalists in Moscow during the German invasion. 'All Night Long' was written upon his return to the United States, intended to humanize the Soviet struggle for an American audience. The novel was later adapted into the 1943 film 'Northern Pursuit' (though significantly altered), underscoring its cultural impact as a contemporary document of the global anti-fascist struggle.
SUBJECTS: World War II Fiction, Russian Front, Guerrilla Warfare, Erskine Caldwell, 20th Century Realism, Inscribed Copies, Inscribed Copy, War Novel, Association Copy.
Item #21745
Price: $85.00
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