I was so taken with the book’s topic and presentation that I bought my own copy. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for offering an advance preview of the title.

The story it tells:
When America entered World War II in 1941, we faced an enemy that had banned and burned over 100 million books and caused fearful citizens to hide or destroy many more. Outraged librarians launched a campaign to send free books to American troops and gathered 20 million hardcover donations. In 1943, the War Department and the publishing industry stepped in with an extraordinary program: 120 million small, lightweight paperbacks, for troops to carry in their pockets and their rucksacks, in every theater of war.

When Books Went to War is an inspiring story for history buffs and book lovers alike.

Of course, I loved this book! I'm a librarian. Having visited sites of book burning in Hitler's Germany, I knew what was done, and I vaguely knew about the books Americans sent to US soldiers from things my grandmother had told me, but this book fleshed out the entire picture plus more.