NORTHEAST.
Classic Young Adult Fiction.
On a treasure hunt in the Shenandoah region of western Virginia, we first encountered this classic seeming volume from one of many Depression era lines of “Books for Boys” and “Girls.” Given the prevailing gender attitudes of the time, the content for each was radically different and will probably seem arcane considering the 90 years separating now from then. Still, this volume jumped out for its colorful graphic-style dust jacket. But that first encounter was with a volume that had not aged well, dust jacket ripped, spine in bad shape; that, plus, the asking price was far above our cap for a resell-able vintage volume. Lo and behold, the very next stop we found this volume in fantastic shape—and—for half the price of that first one. Sold! … The Herb Kent West Point series (there were only 2 as far as we can find) was one of many in the Goldsmith Publishing House line of 1930s boys books, the back cover listing 50 titles in the series. Intended to engage, inspire, and inject a moral lesson into the lives of America’s youth, this volume is a paragon of the style. From modest means, the young Herb had to work while still in high school to help his family struggling through the Depression. There is no money for college, but given that his father was once a West Point cadet himself (forced to drop out due to bad eyesight), there is an outside chance for Herb’s future as an Army officer. It helps that he is a crack student, and yes: star fullback for his high school. Of course, we have a foil, a self-dealing / behind-the-scenes manipulator who will use cunning and a cheater’s instinct—both “no gos” for a young American of upstanding moral character—to upend Herb’s (and likely others’) ambitions. Written at a time when the military academy football teams were THE powerhouse programs, this story (which is No. 2 in the series and focuses on Herb’s time at the academy) reads as from a very different time from our own, but one that is most authentic to its own time. A great find in great shape. [Condition: Aside from some slight chipping and worn corners on the dust jacket, the book itself: cover, spine, and interior pages, are in great shape. There is age coloration of the interior pages, but it is uniform and detracts not an ounce.]
Condition: Used Very Good.
Fiction.
Graham M. Dean.
The Goldsmith Publishing Co., 1936.
Hardcover (First Edition), 250 pgs, 5 x 7.5" / 12 oz
