The Things They Carried

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1990. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. Near fine/near fine. Signed first edition, first printing of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.. Octavo, [10], 273pp, [1]. Black cloth, black boards, title in gilt on spine, author's signature stamped in gilt on front cover. The first printing, with a full number line listed on copyright page. Solid text block, unmarked pages, a fine example. In the publisher's first state dust jacket, $19.95 retail price on front flap, faint shelf wear, a near fine example. Signed by the author on the half title: "To Libby, I hope this goes down inside you, + stays for a time. Best, Tim O'Brien." The Things They Carried is a collection of short stories about an American platoon fighting in the Vietnam War, primarily based on the experience O'Brien had while serving as a member of the 23rd Infantry Division. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award.