SIGNED FIRST EDITION OF GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING'S MEMOIRS

John J. Pershing. My Experiences in the World War. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1931. 

8vo. Copy number 699/2,100. Cloth boards with gilt-stamped labels. Frontispiece, illustrations, maps, and photographic plates. AUTHOR'S AUTOGRAPH EDITION, LIMITED EDITION. Numbered 699 of 2,100. SIGNED BY JOHN J. PERSHING to limitation page.  

Provenance: J.A. Duggan (sticker to interior front board). 

A signed first edition copy of John J. Pershing's My Experiences in the World War. This memoir comes in two volumes — the first volumes covers from Pershing's selection as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces to the German spring offensive, while the second volume encompasses the Allied cooperation due to the spring offensive's conclusion to the victory parade in Paris after the armistice with Germany. 

Nicknamed "Black Jack," Pershing (1860-1948) lived a storied military career. He first served as a quartermaster in the Spanish-American War, then as adjutant general in the Philippine-American War and as a commander to capture Pancho Villa, which ultimately failed. But what Pershing is most remembered for is his service in World War I. 

Once Germany declared war on the U.S., President Woodrow Wilson selected Pershing as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, which were the troops stationed in Europe. Despite being headquartered in France, Pershing made it clear that he wanted American forces to stand on their own and not be absorbed into European ranks — he believed this would uplift American self-confidence and destroy German morale. Pershing most notably commanded the AEF at the Second Battle of the Marne, Battle of Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Following World War I, Pershing was promoted to general of the Armies of the United States, the highest rank possible for any American Armed Forces member and a rank that was created specifically for Pershing. 

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