All Honorable Men (RARE IN COMMERCE)

James Stewart Martin

Published by Little, Brown, Boston, Massachusetts, 1950

About this Item

RARE Very scarcely up for sale and with no history at reputable auctions. Institutions throughout the world have acquired nearly all first editions of this important and sensational work. IMPORTANCE This is a groundbreaking and controversial expose that was soon "vanished" after its release. In this book, the Chief of the Decartelization Branch details how the postwar program to dismantle the influential German cartels that fueled Nazi domination and the German military was secretly undermined by greedy Allied Powers and American corporations looking to profit. The author further alleges many American businesses profited throughout the war via clandestine deals that directly undermined the United States' and Allies' war efforts against Germany, putting soldiers and the fate of the world at risk. Condition: VG+/VG- Published in 1950 in Boston by Little, Brown and Company. First edition, first printing as indicated by "First Edition" statement on the copyright page. In its original seafoam green cloth covered boards with rust lettering and decoration. First edition dust jacket with the correct "$3.50" price on front flap. Octavo, viii, [2], 326 pp. Collated and complete. ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND WORK James Stewart Martin (December 10, 1911 ? January 30, 1987) aided the Allied forces in targeting key areas of German industry for aerial bombardment during WW II. After the war he was a United States Department of Justice attorney who served as the Chief of the Decartelization Branch for Military Government in Germany. His book All Honorable Men catalogs the difficulties faced by his team trying to deconstruct the Nazi industrial machine, not the least of which was opposition to his efforts by his superior officer, an investment banker in peacetime. In the book, Martin blamed Wall Street's pre-war ties to German Big Business for obstructionist efforts among the Allied powers that ultimately prevented the complete dismantling of the Nazi cartel system. In essence, the work is a scathing attack on Wall Street's illegal ties to Nazi Germany before WW II and the postwar whitewashing of Nazi business leaders by the US government. The author discusses how many American corporations had done business with German corporations that helped fund the rise and power of the Nazi Party, despite knowing full well what their money was supporting. Effectively, Wall Street's greed had led it to aid Hitler and hinder the Allied effort. Martin "outs" the business leaders and corporations involved and details how his efforts post-war were blocked. CONDITION REPORT The book is in Very Good+ condition. Square spine, firm hinges and joints, sharp corners. Light rubbing to extremities and a few light spots of cloth soiling. Cloth is colorful and fresh. Interior is clean and bright with no foxing or ex libris marks. The first chapter has two words of marginalia and a circled word - all by pencil - else NEAR FINE. Dust jacket: VG- Unclipped and colorful. Slightly sunned spine, a few small areas of dust, some rubbing. Edgewear chips, creases and tears. A 1" x 1/2" chip to foot of spine. Vertical fold crease on front flap. .

Seller Inventory # 258

Bibliographic Details

• Title: All Honorable Men (RARE IN COMMERCE)
• Publisher: Little, Brown, Boston, Massachusetts
• Publication Date: 1950
• Binding: Hardcover, cloth
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: VG+
• Dust Jacket Condition: VG-
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Seller catalogs:
  • History, Government & Political Science
  • RARE
  • Vintage