War Letters 1862-1865 - Gray and Ropes - 1st/1st. 1927

Description: Please see photos for condition and content. Hinges are intact, and cover shows shelf wear. Gilt on spine is faded. Book is ex-libris. Owner was James O’Donnell Bennet; inscription on front free end paper is “Bennett. 1934 Christmas. S. H. B.” Research indicates that this book was owned buy Chicago Tribune journalist James O’Donnell Bennett, married to Susan Hayward Bennett. As a writer for the Tribune, he was sent in the mid 1930s (probably 1935 as near as I can tell) to interview Joseph Fifer, former Illinois governor and Civil War Veteran. When Fifer was 92, he was struck buy an automobile; he was visited by Governor Frank Lowden and Judge Landis. Lowden was so struck by the stories and the mental acuity of Fifer that he met with Arthur Evans of the Chicago Tribune asking that someone capture the stories while Fifer was alive. Bennett was tapped for the chore, and spent four solid days interviewing Fifer and taking notes. The result was Bennett’s book, “Private Joe Fifer: Memories and War & Peace in his 96th Year by Joseph Fifer at the Request of the Chicago Tribune and recorded by James O’Donnell Bennett.” Two interview were published before the book, in December 1935 and January 1936. It is likely that Bennett’s wife Susan may have helped her husband research material prior to this interview, as the free end paper has a listing of several pages and referenced topics, along with small pencil marks on the referenced pages. After reading “Private Joe,” it appears to me (my opinion only) that this book (War Letters) may have helped Bennett frame interview questions. This item is from my brother-in-law’s personal library.

Price: 150 USD

Location: Lisle, Illinois

End Time: 2024-08-03T18:49:22.000Z

Shipping Cost: 6.13 USD