HANDS OFF! Self-Defense for Women by Fairbairn, Major W.E - 1942

New York and London: D. Appleton-Century Company, 1942. First Edition. Wraps. Very good. Illustrated with photographs by Major F.A.R. Leitao, this manual for women shows defenses against various attack, holds, and wandering hands, including ways to use an umbrella and a matchbox for defensive purposes. Fairbairn "developed hand-to-hand combat methods for the Shanghai Police during the interwar period, as well as for the allied special forces during World War II" and has been suggested as the inspiration for Q Branch in the James Bond series (Wiki). In his introduction, the author writes, "It goes without saying that a woman should always know how to protect herself. In wartime - in America at war - this is doubly so." This copy bears the bookplate of Stewart and Annette Johnston, and is inscribed to Annette from someone named Roland, "On entering the Armed Forces - 1942" with a further note on the rear inside cover: "A hat pin is effective, too. I've heard". It's likely the gift inscription is in reference to Annette's service with the Women's Auxiliary Corps during World War II. According to the August 15, 1945 issue of The Dayton Daily News, Annette Johnston, nee Perry, was a technical sergeant in the WACs from Los Angeles, who served in the European Theater during World War II, saw action in London, Vologne, and Paris, where she met and married Stewart Johnston, from Oakland. She earned ribbons for the liberation of Paris and service prior to the incorporation of the WACs into the Army. She was formally enlisted in the Army in June of 1943, injured her shoulder when she fell down a flight of stairs during the bombardment of Paris, and returned to the U.S. just in time to be stuck in Dayton, Ohio, waiting for a train home, on V-J Day. Octavo. Original green cloth wrappers, with black-stamped titles. Some general wear; else clean and sound. Uncommon in commerce, and a nice association copy.