Books

"Thirteenth Impression" stated to copyright page, and DJ front panel agrees "Thirteenth Printing." NOT price-clipped; original $3.95 price showing. Someone has used a "Magic Marker" to black our four words in blue ballpoint to top of FFE. Bottom edges considerably shelf-worn but interior text block clean & very nice. This copy bears the hand-written name "Harper Lee" to title page. (PLEASE READ FOLLOWING PROVENANCE:) This book belonged to Edna L. Bowling, who ran for public office in Alabama four times in the 1970s and '80s on the minority "Prohibition" party ticket, capturing from 1.1 to 1.6 percent of the vote in her races for Congressional District 6 in 1972 and for Lt. Governor in 1974 and 1978. She fared best in her final race, for Secretary of State, in 1982, when she captured 5 percent of the vote, presumably a protest against Democrat Don Siegelman, who won the seat with 81 percent. Jim Bowling of Dallas, Texas, who sold us this copy, writes: "I was the executor of my grandmother, Edna L Bowling's estate. Most of her books passed to me. She lived in West End, Alabama and was an independent woman who successfully competed in a man's world. She was not famous but well known, since she ran for Governor (sic) several times. She sold encyclopedia's for 30 years. As a former school teacher, she wood go into small towns in Alabama, get to know the educators, city leaders and ask about students in need. She would usually stay in a small town several weeks at a time. She met Mrs. Lee in Monroeville, Alabama and she signed book on a later visit." Comparison Harper Lee signatures are readily available Online. As we claim no special expertise in Harper Lee signatures, prospective buyers are advised to make their own comparisons. (Our fifth and final scan has been artificially darkened to better bring out the signature.) The 1962 film -- screenplay by Horton Foote -- starred Gregory Peck, Robert Duvall, and Mary Badham as Scout. 296 pp.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a coming-of-age novel set in the racially segregated Southern United States during the 1930s. Narrated by Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, it follows her childhood experiences in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, where her father, Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer, defends Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Scout, along with her brother Jem and their friend Dill, becomes engrossed in the trial and witnesses the deep-seated racism and prejudice prevalent in their community. Despite Atticus' compelling defense and evidence proving Tom's innocence, the deeply ingrained racial bias leads to Tom's unjust conviction. Throughout the novel, Lee weaves a tapestry of themes such as racial injustice, moral growth, empathy, and the loss of innocence. Atticus serves as a moral compass, imparting valuable lessons about courage, integrity, and standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. The children also encounter the reclusive Boo Radley, a neighbor shrouded in mystery and superstition. Through their curiosity and empathy, they come to realize Boo's humanity, challenging the prejudices and preconceived notions within their society. Lee's eloquent narrative captures the complexities of human nature and societal norms, examining how prejudice and ignorance can breed injustice. The novel poignantly illustrates the harsh realities of racism while advocating for empathy and understanding. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a timeless masterpiece, celebrated for its poignant portrayal of moral courage, the loss of innocence, and the resilience of the human spirit. It remains a powerful indictment of social inequality and a testament to the enduring importance of compassion and empathy in confronting prejudice and injustice.