Description
Inscribed by Lt. General Ben Lear, the first edition of School of the Citizen Soldier: The Educational Program for the Second Army, published in 1942.
Octavo, xvii, 558pp. Brown cloth, title stamped in black. No additional printings noted. Rubbing to cloth, wear to spine. Solid text block. Complete with five illustrations and two fold-out maps. In the publisher’s scarce dust jacket, $3.00 on front flap, shelf wear to panels, a very good example. Inscribed on the half-title: “To N. Thompson, With all good wishes, Gen. Lear.”
General Ben Lear (1879-1966) served in the United States Army during both World Wars. Graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1898, Lear’s early career saw him engaged in various conflicts including the Philippine-American War and the Pancho Villa Expedition. During World War I, he served with the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. His leadership skills became more prominent in the interwar years, leading to his eventual promotion to Lieutenant General in 1939. As World War II unfolded, Lear played a crucial role in training and preparing U.S. forces for combat. He commanded the Second United States Army and was known for his rigorous training programs and discipline. His methods, though sometimes controversial, were credited with significantly enhancing the combat readiness of American troops. He retired in 1945 and was buried in Arlington Cemetery in 1966.
