1944 Through the Perilous Night Joe Custer 1st Printing USS Astoria WWII Savo For Sale

Through the Perilous Night: The Astoria’s Last Battle by Joe James Custer, a United Press war correspondent. Published in New York by The Macmillan Company in 1944.

This is the first edition and first printing, as expressly stated on the copyright page.

Custer was aboard the heavy cruiser USS Astoria during the Battle of Savo Island near Guadalcanal in August 1942. His firsthand narrative covers the Pacific War, including Pearl Harbor, the Doolittle Raid, Guadalcanal, and the loss of the Astoria. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and battle maps. Dedicated to the memory of the USS Astoria and her crew.

Condition: Vintage hardcover in good overall condition for its age. Original gray cloth boards with faded red lettering on the spine. Spine ends show slight rubbing and fraying, with additional light edge and corner wear. Interior pages appear clean and are firmly bound, with expected age toning and occasional minor spotting or handling wear. No dust jacket. No writing or ownership markings observed. Please examine all photographs carefully; they form an important part of the condition description.

An uncommon firsthand account of the Pacific naval war and a desirable title for collectors of USS Astoria, Battle of Savo Island, Guadalcanal, World War II naval history, and war-correspondent memoirs.