An immediate bestseller upon its original publication in 1939, Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo is a searing portrayal of war that has stunned and galvanized generations of readers.
Dalton Trumbo
When Joe Bonham, a young American soldier serving in World War I, awakens in a hospital bed after being caught in the blast of an exploding artillery shell, he gradually realizes that he has lost his arms, legs, and all of his face, but that his mind functions perfectly, leaving him a prisoner in his own body. As Joe drifts between fantasy and reality, he remembers his old life with his family and girlfriend, and reflects upon the myths and realities of war.
Published two days after the declaration of war in Europe and more than two years before the United States joined World War II, Trumbo’s stark and troubling masterpiece of uncompromising brutality went on to become the most influential protest novel of the Vietnam era and an undisputed classic of antiwar literature.
Upon its release, The New York Times raved, “Mr. Trumbo sets this story down almost without pause or punctuation, and with a fury accounting to elegance,” while Saturday Review promised, “It is a book that can never be forgotten by anyone who reads it.”
Johnny Got His Gun won one of the earliest National Book Awards: the Most Original Book of 1939. A 1971 film adaptation was written for the screen and directed by Trumbo himself.
About The Editions
The limited edition of Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo is presented in three states: Artist, Numbered and Lettered. The editions measure 6” x 9” and feature six full color illustrations by Ūla Šveikauskaitė, a foreword by Cindy Sheehan, an afterword by E.L. Doctorow, and the author’s Introduction from 1959 with addendum written in 1970. The editions are printed offset on archival Cougar Natural.
Artist Edition
The Artist edition is limited to 1000 copies with a dust jacket illustrated by Ūla Šveikauskaitė. It is a full cloth, smyth sewn binding with two-hits foil stamping. It is the only edition of the three with the dust jacket, and is signed by the artist. The edition is housed in a metal mesh paper slipcase with an acrylic coating.
Pre-order HERE for $125.
Numbered Edition
The Numbered edition of 350 copies is a full Japanese cloth binding with letterpress printed labels on the cover and spine. The edition is housed in a slipcase covered in Japanese cloth and is signed by Cindy Sheehan and Ūla Šveikauskaitė.
Available for pre-order on Saturday, June 26th at 9 A.M. Pacific for $385. Please note: There is a chance that the Numbered edition may only be available for purchase through a lottery when it opens up for public pre-order. If any copies of the Lettered edition are available, those will be sold through a lottery only.
Lettered Edition
The Lettered edition ($1,500) is limited to 26 copies and is a bradel binding with a leather spine and boards. An historically accurate WWI rifle dummy round is affixed to the cover. Endsheets are marbled and the edition is housed in a clamshell enclosure covered in Japanese cloth with a letterpress printed spine label. The edition is signed by Cindy Sheehan and Ūla Šveikauskaitė.
If any copies of the Lettered edition are available when it opens up for public pre-order, those will be sold through a lottery only.
