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.

U.S.A. Trilogy: 42nd Parallel, 1919, Big Money.

by Dos Passos, John

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1930-36
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Boston: Harper & Brothers and Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1930-36. First editions of Dos Passos' epic U.S.A. Trilogy, each signed and inscribed by him. Octavo, 3 volumes, original cloth. Each are very good to near fine in the original dust jackets. We have never seen another complete set signed.
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, Nineteen Nineteen, The Big Money

U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, Nineteen Nineteen, The Big Money

by Dos Passos, John

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First Edition
Published
1946
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Hardcover
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Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1946. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. Limited to 365 sets signed by Dos Passos and illustrator Reginald Marsh. Very Good in a Good slipcase, generally rubbed and worn but all in one piece. Cream buckram, generally toned but with some uneven spots at the heads and feet of the spine, with maroon pastedowns and gilt… Read more about this item
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USA Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel; Nineteen Nineteen; and The Big Money [3 Vol]
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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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Used - Near Fine
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No Jacket as Issued
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Limited Numbered First Illustrated Edition
Published
1946
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Cloth
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Houghton Mifflin, 1946. Limited Numbered First Illustrated Edition. Cloth. Near Fine/No Jacket as Issued. A handsome 3-volume set of John Dos Passos' classic trilogy in the scarce Limited Numbered First Illustrated Edition signed by the author and the artist, Reginald Marsh, on the limitation page in the first volume ["The 42nd Parallel"] and numbered 370 of 375 [Original… Read more about this item
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, 1919, The Big Money
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, 1919, The Big Money

by DOS PASSOS, John

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Published
1936
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New York: Harper and Brothers, Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1936. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First editions. Three volumes. A superb set. The three volumes as follows: *The 42nd Parallel* is fine in fine dust jacket; *1919* has a bit of offsetting on the front endpaper else fine in fine dust jacket; and *The Big Money* has a tiny contemporary name… Read more about this item
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, Nineteen Nineteen, The Big Money

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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One of 365 three volume sets signed by the author and illustrator. Hardcover, bound in cloth. Spines discolored. Lacks slipcase.
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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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1st Edition
Published
1937
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Hardcover
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The Modern Library. DJ in archival cover, light wear. Front hinge starting. Modern Library Giant Edition, G44. . Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 1st Printing. 1937.
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U.S.A. Trilogy: Nineteen Nineteen, The 42nd Parallel, The Big Money
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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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Houghton Mifflin, 1946. hardcover. Good. 9x6x1. Houghton Mifflin Company (The Riverside Press); Boston, 1946. Hardcover. Complete 3 Volume Set. A Good, grey cloth binding with red lettering on front board and spines, binding intact, starting hinges, heavily sunned spines, crimping to spine edges, some scattered foxing to board margin buckram and text block edges, bit of age toning… Read more about this item
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U.S.A. Trilogy: The 42nd Parallel, 1919, The Big Money

by DOS PASSOS, John

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1st Edition
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1936
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Harper and Brothers, Harcourt, Brace and Company. All First Printings. All Stated FIrst Editions with no subsequent printings listed. Toning from paste down glue at front inside hinge of The Big Money. Unclipped DJs in archival covers, edge wear, chips. Extra shipping for this set. . Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 1936.
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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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Modern Library. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Very good, clean, tight condition - collector's "near fine". Jacket in mylar cover. Text free of marks. Small previous owners stamp inside. Professional book dealer since 1999. All orders are processed promptly and carefully packaged.
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U.S.A. Trilogy: Nineteen Nineteen, The 42nd Parallel, The Big Money

by Dos Passos, John

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Published
1946
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Houghton Mifflin, 1946. Hardcover. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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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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Published
1947
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Hardcover
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Garrison, New York, USA
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Houghton Mifflin Company. All three volumes spine darkened in rough original slip case. Internally about fine. . Near Fine. Hardcover. 1947.
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U.S.A. Trilogy: Nineteen Nineteen, The 42nd Parallel, The Big Money.; Illustrated by Reginald Marsh

by Dos Passos, John

Condition
Each volume has a discreet owner's blind stame else all volumes are near new condition, covers bright, texts clean and bindings
Published
1946
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Hardcover
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Baldwin City, Kansas, USA
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Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1946. Hardcover. Each volume has a discreet owner's blind stame else all volumes are near new condition, covers bright, texts clean and bindings tight in like dust jackets which are now in clear protective mylar sleeves.. Three volumes,
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