Description
An inscribed first edition of Crusade In Europe by Dwight D. Eisenhower to Lieutenant General Manton Sprague Eddy, commander of the XII Corps during WWII.
Octavo, xiv, [2], 559pp. Publishers tan cloth, title printed on spine. Title on spine is worn. Illustrated endpapers. Stated “first edition” on copyright page, noting that it follows the limited edition which was published the same year. Publishers first edition dust jacket, near fine condition, price-clipped, bright illustrations on cover and spine, wear along top edge, tape repair to top edge of spine.
Inscribed on half title by Dwight D. Eisenhower: “For Lt. General Manton Eddy, Brilliant battle leader of World War II – with warm regard from his old friend, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Dec. 1948.” This copy, signed in December 1948, was one of a limited number of trade editions held back for dignitaries and close associates of General Eisenhower. An exceptional association copy to one of the senior army officers of World War II.
Comments: Lieutenant General Manton Sprague Eddy (1892-1962) served in both World War I and World War II. During World War II, he commanded the 9th Infantry Division in North Africa and the Battle of Normandy. During the Battle of Normandy, his troops captured the French port city of Cherbourg, which earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. In August 1944, Eddy was given command of the XII Corps in George Patton’s Third Army. He led the allied advance from Paris to the Rhine. During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, he successfully held off the German army’s southern offensive.
