ABRAHAM LINCOLN: THE PRAIRIE YEARS AND THE WAR YEARS [INSCRIBED PRESENTATION COPY]

New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1954. A wonderful pre-publication presentation copy warmly inscribed and signed by Carl Sandburg to Robert Eichelberger. "With the Compliments of the Author" card loosely laid in with "Publication date - Oct. 7, 1954" written at the bottom. Eichelberger has written on the front flyleaf "This volume was sent to me by the author thru the publisher in Sept 1954 prior to its public appearance. R L Eichelberger, Asheville No Car." Sandburg's presentation on the title page reads " Dear Bob Eichelberger, Valor is a gift you have that I have never had under test. In your book Jungle Road you convey vividly the impression of men having deep unspeakable love of America, proven by their deeds. I hoped thru this Lincoln story & portrait to render that same impression...The love of all at our house to you and Em. Carl Sandburg 1954." Sandburg won three Pulitzer prizes, two for his poetry and the third for his biography of Abraham Lincoln. This is Sandburg's definitive one-volume edition out of his monumental six-volume work. Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (1886 - 1961) was a general officer in the United States Army who commanded the Eighth United States Army in the Southwest Pacific Area during World War II. As Commanding General of the Eighth Army, Eichelberger led the invasion of the Southern Philippines clearing the islands of Mindoro, Marinduque, Panay, Negros, Cebu and Bohol. By July 1945, his forces had defeated the Japanese on Mindanao. In August 1945, Eichelberger's Eighth Army began a three-year stint as part of the Occupation of Japan. He retired from the Army at the end of 1948 after nearly 40 years of service, with the rank of lieutenant general. In 1950, he moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where he lived with his wife Em for the rest of his life. Eichelberger wrote the book "Our Jungle Road to Tokyo." Harry Truman and Omar Bradley both requested autographed copies. Evidently Sandburg was also one of Eichelberger's admirers. Very near fine with some slight shelf rubbing on bottom edges. In a very good, price-intact dust jacket with some small chips and edge tears. Now in a protective mylar wrap. A unique and wonderful association copy. . Signed by Author. First Edition (Stated). Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good.