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2 volumes. First Edition, The Author's Autograph Edition, Signed by Pershing on the half-title limitation leaf, and with an Additional Autographed Slip tipped into the front of the first volume. Profusely illustrated with photographs, maps and charts throughout both volumes. Royal 8vo, publisher's original light-olive cloth decorated on the spine and upper cover with gilt panels lettered and decorated in black, illustrated and printed dustjackets as issued, the two volumes housed in the publisher's decorated slipcase. xvi, 400; xii, 436 pp. A mint set, as pristine as one could possibly expect, the dustjackets in especially fine condition, the books superbly preserved, the slipcase with minor rubbing only, and that principally from shelving. Very rare in this condition. FIRST EDITION, AUTOGRAPH ISSUE, IN REMARKABLY FINE CONDITION, AS PRISTINE AND ESSENTIALLY MINT. VERY RARE THUS. AWARDED THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR HISTORY IN 1932. General Pershing has introduced his work in words that may fit more aptly than any others that could be written: "My primary purpose in writing this story of the American Expeditionary Forces in France is to render what I conceive to be an important service to my country. In that adventure there were many lessons useful to the American people, should they ever again be called too arms, and I felt it a duty t record them as I saw them." "The World War found us absorbed in the pursuits of peace and quite unconscious of probable threat to our security. We would listen to no warnings of danger. We had made small preparation for defense and none for aggression. So when war actually came upon us we had to change the very habits of our lives and minds to meet its realities. The slow processes by which we achieved these changes and applied our latent power to the problems of combat in Europe, despite our will, our numbers and our wealth, I endeavor to describe. Therein lie the lessons of which I write.Once realizing their obligations, the American people willingly sent their sons to battle with unstinted generosity, they gave of their substance, and with fortitude bore the sacrifices that fell to their lot. They, too, served, and in their service inspired the armies to victory." General of the Armies John J. Pershing, nicknamed "Black Jack", served as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I from 1917 to 1920. In addition to leading the AEF to victory in World War I, Pershing served as a mentor to many in the generation of generals who led the United States Army during World War II, including George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, Lesley J. McNair, George S. Patton, and Douglas MacArthur. Tucker, S.C. World War I; Keane, Michael, George S. Patton During his command in World War I, Pershing resisted British and French demands that American forces be integrated with their armies, essentially as replacement units, and insisted that the AEF would operate as a single unit under his command, although some American units fought under British and Australian command, notably in the Battle of Hamel and the breaching of the Hindenburg Line at St Quentin Canal, precipitating the final German collapse. Pershing also allowed American all-Black units to be integrated with the French Army. Pershing is the only American to be promoted in his own lifetime to General of the Armies, the highest possible rank in the United States Army. Allowed to select his own insignia, Pershing chose to continue using four stars in either silver or gold.
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