One of my jobs as a military librarian was to provide monthly book kits to deployed soldiers, sailors (both ashore and afloat), and Marines on Embassy Duty around the world. Those paperback book kits were the lineal descendants of the World War II’s Armed Serviced Editions.
Reblog: How the Armed Services Editions Created a Nation of Readers
e-Quips 
For two months I worked with the Seamen’s Mission in Rotterdam, delivering books to ships!
LikeLike
Very cool Denzil. Was this government or association or religion based? What kind of books did you provide?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Church based and mostly novels. It wasn’t the best organized work though, so I left after 2 months.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still a cool experience. Thanks for sharing, Denzil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What treasures that would be now- having more stories to tell than lie within their pages
LikeLiked by 1 person
Derrick, definitely. You can still find some more of the Armed Services editions available. They are more functional in shape than attractive. We used to use mass market paperbacks. Now that there are more trade paperbacks than mass market, I’m not sure what they do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating! Books are definitely more than just a story full of characters, they are a symbol of freedom. During the British colonial era, Indian authors and poets wrote many stories with social and political injustice either as a backdrop or as the main theme. Those books became a tool sharper than any sword to understand and fight for freedom.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing that Ranjana. Fascinating history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was happily surprised when I first learned about book kits being sent to the troops. Each book is a journey into an adventure – thank you for being a part of that process.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, GP
I was proud to be part of that legacy for two years. You really might enjoy the book about Books Going to War that was mentioned in the article. I bought the book and loved it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have heard of that book, I’ll put it on my list. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’ll be pleased with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍📚
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know about military librarians – that is super cool
LikeLike
A totally fun job and a great chance to get sent overseas. For those interested, you can even volunteer to deploy to a warzone where you will not be at the front. I was one for over 30 years.
LikeLike