Usa Trilogy
by Dos Passos, John
John Dos Passos’s USA Trilogy covers the historical development and evolution of American society during the first three decades of the twentieth century. Originally published individually, the trilogy includes The 42nd Parallel, covering the period from 1900 up to World War I; 1919 (or Nineteen Nineteen), dealing with the war and the critical year of the Treaty of Versailles; and The Big Money, which moves from the boom of the 1920s to the bust of the 1930s.
Dos Passos uses an experimental technique in portraying the everyday situations of the characters around WWI with special attention to the social and economic forces that drive them. In a complex format, he incorporates four narrative modes: fictional narratives with free indirect speech telling the life stories of the twelve main characters; fragments of Dos Passos’ own autobiographical stream-of-consciousness (often referred to an “The Camera Eye”); collages of blaring newspaper headlines and article clippings along with some song lyrics (“The Newsreel”); and biographies of various public figures of the time, including Woodrow Wilson and Henry Ford.
The 42nd Parallel, what would become part one of the trilogy, was first published by Harper and Brothers in February 1930. Dos Passos intended for Harper to publish 1919 as well; however, the publisher rejected the book when the author refused to cut a satirical portrait of J.P. Morgan, who had recently financially assisted Harper. Thus, Harcourt, Brace published 1919 in March 1932 and The Big Money in August 1936. The next summer, Harcourt, Brace agreed to published Dos Passos’s three works in a single volume edition, for which the author selected the name USA.
The USA Trilogy is ranked 23rd on Modern Library’s list of the “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century.
First Edition Identification
Harcourt, Brace published the first one-volume USA Trilogy in January 1938. First editions have no additional printings listed on the copyright page.
Other Collectible or Notable Editions
Constable published the first UK edition of the USA Trilogy in London in 1938. Following World War II, Houghton Mifflin published USA in a boxed three-volume edition with colored endpapers and illustrations by Reginald Marsh. This deluxe edition was limited to 365 copies, 350 of which are signed by both Dos Passos and Marsh.
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U.S.A. Trilogy: 42nd Parallel, 1919, Big Money.
by Dos Passos, John
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, Nineteen Nineteen, The Big Money
by Dos Passos, John
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- First Edition
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- 1946
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Woodstock, Illinois, USA
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USA Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel; Nineteen Nineteen; and The Big Money [3 Vol]
by Dos Passos, John
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- 1946
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SANDY, Oregon, USA
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, 1919, The Big Money
by DOS PASSOS, John
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- 1936
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, Nineteen Nineteen, The Big Money
by Dos Passos, John; illustrated by Reginald Marsh
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- 1946
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Lewis Center, Ohio, USA
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U. S. A. Trilogy (one volume): The 42nd Parallel; Nineteen Nineteen; The Big Money G44
by Dos Passos, John
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- 1937
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Garrison, New York, USA
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U.S.A. Trilogy: Nineteen Nineteen, The 42nd Parallel, The Big Money
by Dos Passos, John
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- 1946
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Foster, Rhode Island, USA
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, 1919, The Big Money
by DOS PASSOS, John
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- 1936
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Garrison, New York, USA
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, 1919, The Big Money: Modern Library Giant 44
by John Dos Passos
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Springfield, Missouri, USA
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U.S.A. Trilogy: Nineteen Nineteen, The 42nd Parallel, The Big Money
by Dos Passos, John
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- 1946
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- Hardcover
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Seattle, Washington, USA
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SGD 61.36
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USA Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel; Nineteen Nineteen; and The Big Money [3 Vol in Slipcase]
by Dos Passos, John
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- Used - Near Fine
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- 1947
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- Hardcover
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Garrison, New York, USA
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SGD 477.99
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U.S.A. Trilogy: Nineteen Nineteen, The 42nd Parallel, The Big Money.; Illustrated by Reginald Marsh
by Dos Passos, John
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- Each volume has a discreet owner's blind stame else all volumes are near new condition, covers bright, texts clean and bindings
- Published
- 1946
- Binding
- Hardcover
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Baldwin City, Kansas, USA
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SGD 163.88