A Librarian's War: The Man Who Fought World War II with Books and Brought the Joy of Reading to Millions

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The untold story of Ray Trautman, the Greatest Generation's librarian, who made reading central to the Allied fight in World War II and transformed the role of books in American life.Though unknown to most readers, no one made a greater contribution to reading habits in America than Ray Trautman. Growing up in the rural Midwest, Trautman looked to reading as a way of exploring the world--as both escape and enlightenment--and yet, as with many Americans, discovered that with no community library and limited funds finding books was a challenge. This sparked in him a lifelong passion to build libraries and ensure free access to books for all. After working his way through college, Trautman became an independent bookseller, and then joined the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression, building libraries and teaching people how to read. In late 1940, after earning a degree in library studies from Columbia, he landed the job of a lifetime: Chief Librarian of the Army. Many military leaders believed books were an unnecessary distraction for troops, but Trautman relentlessly championed books, believing, like others, that they were key to the fight against totalitarianism and ultimately built the largest and most far-reaching library system in the world. He devised the "Armed Services Editions," wallet-sized paperbacks and printed miniature magazines for soldiers. He also created the most popular comic book in the Army, Overseas Comics. Along the way, Trautman fought book bans and book-resistant generals (including Douglas MacArthur), was nearly killed in the Battle of the Bulge while on a special assignment for Dwight Eisenhower and joined forces with librarians and publishers to spread access to reading. Trautman was credited with distributing nearly a half billion books, magazines, and comic books to troops. When the war ended in 1945, Trautman brought the fight for books home: advocating for rural libraries, building libraries in prisons, campaigning for more books for the visually impaired, and working to develop materials for adults with low reading proficiency so they could improve their literacy skills. A Librarian's War introduces readers to a man who dedicated his life to instilling a passion for reading and unhindered access to books. Molly Guptill Manning's book puts Trautman where he deserves to be: at the center of the story.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Movies, dances, and USO shows often come to mind as popular activities for American soldiers on the front during World War II. However, as historian Manning (When Books Went to War) illustrates in her biography of U.S. Army Chief Librarian Ray Trautman, books, comics, and periodicals were also in high demand among troops. These materials offered service members a sense of connection to home or an escape from both the horrors and boredom of war. Books boosted morale and played a vital role in the war against fascism. After earning a master's degree in librarianship, Manning, then in the U.S. Army Reserves, was called up to active duty and selected to serve as chief librarian. During his tenure, he established an extensive library network and book distribution system. By visiting the men at the front--even serving during the Battle of the Bulge--Trautman's determination, hard work, and empathy helped connect servicepeople to the books they wanted to read. Working with influential publishing houses, he even innovated the Armed Service Edition, a small book format that fit in uniform pockets. VERDICT This engaging biography will delight history readers and inspire future library students.--Donna Marie Smith

Kirkus Book Review

Fighting "the enemies lurking within--ignorance, boredom, fear, hopelessness"--with books. Historian Manning, author ofWhen Books Went to War (2014), which recounted a program that supplied books to American soldiers during World War II, writes a lively biography of the man behind it. Ray Trautman (1907-82), a poor farm boy, joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal program that paid young men to work in park conservation. He was assigned to teach literacy and assemble libraries, work so enjoyable that he returned to college for a degree in library science. In 1940, eligible for the draft and aware that the Army was reviving its library division, he applied and was placed in charge. Most of a soldier's time is spent waiting around, and fighting boredom is an obsession. "In the oppressive heat and humidity of the South Pacific," Manning writes, Trautman spoke of how "he had witnessed troops passing along soiled, grimy books because it was all they had to read. Though damp, dog-eared, and dilapidated, they handled them as delicately as ancient artifacts, for there was no knowing if more would arrive." The traditional army solution--book drives--invariably flopped. Most contributions were on subjects of no interest to young men or hardbound, which few soldiers wanted to carry into the field. Trautman went to work. Most publishers weren't keen on paperbacks, a new phenomenon, but Trautman, now a powerful figure, persuaded them to reconsider. He devised the Armed Services Editions, specially printed, wallet-sized paperbacks that fit into a uniform pocket. After some arm-twisting, magazines produced shrunken, advertising-free editions. By 1947, 143 million were distributed, along with half a billion books and a generous supply of comic books. Trautman and publishers successfully fended off inevitable private censorship efforts, but Congress was his "most formidable foe" in determining which books soldiers would get. Discharged in 1945, he continued to spread his love of books: advocating rural libraries, libraries in prisons, reading for the visually impaired and those with poor literacy. A fine biography of an admirable man. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.