Modern Arms and Free Men: A Discussion of the Role of Science in Preserving Democracy
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1949.
First edition, first printing. Association copy signed by Vannevar Bush on the fly-leaf and inscribed to the diplomat Philip Jessup. [xiv], 273, [1] pp. Bound in publisher's red cloth blocked in black and lettered in gilt. Near Fine with sunned spine, dulling to spine gilt, and light rubbing to extremities. Several small stains to textblock edges, light foxing to same and free endpapers. In a Very Good unclipped dust jacket with sunned spine panel, light toning and foxing, and moderate edgewear. Tape repair on verso to open tear at lower edge of front panel. Publisher's card laid in.
An important work that presaged the direction the American military and scientific establishments would take during the Cold War. Vannevar Bush was the former head of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, which oversaw the Manhattan Project. He was well placed to evaluate "the weapons now in sight for the next war," as a contemporary Foreign Affairs review put it: "While stressing the need of perfecting anti-submarine measures, he insists that the democratic ideal is our best weapon."
The jurist and diplomat Philip Jessup also held positions of high responsibility during the Second World War, serving as chief of the Division of Personnel and Training for Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations at the State Department. He later served as a judge at the International Court of Justice at the Hague. Correspondence between Jessup and Bush is held by the Library of Congress.
Price: $1,500