THE YOUNG LIONS, INSCRIBED BY IRWIN SHAW

SHAW, Irwin. The Young Lions. New York: Random House, (1948). Octavo, original half red cloth, original dust jacket. $1200.

First edition, first printing, of Shaw’s epic World War II masterpiece, inscribed: "To Douglas Beseth—this well-protected book—with best wishes, Irwin Shaw."

Irwin Shaw's Young Lions shares with Mailer's Naked and the Dead (1948) and Jones' Thin Red Line (1962) the distinction of being one of "the three defining American combat novels to emerge from WWII." A G.I. journalist during the war, it was in The Young Lions that Jones brought home "the crushing ironies and tragedies on both sides of the war" (New York Times). The acclaimed 1958 movie adaptation starring Montgomery Clift and Marlon Brando earned three Oscar nominations. With "First Printing" on copyright page.

A fine inscribed copy.