Slim, by William Wister Haines (HC, reprinted in 1935, $25)
This book is not in the best condition, and has no dust jacket. Still, when looking it up on the internet I was shocked to see the prices it brings, probably because it has been out of print since 1959, yet still a favorite of railroad buffs and linemen. The book realistically portrays the working class of the Depression era, and was based on his experiences during that time as an electric lineman on a rail road. He took the job when he couldn't get a job as an engineer, discovered his writing ability and never looked back. Slim, the movie, came out in 1937 with the lead played by Henry Fonda. Haines' later book, Command Decision, came out in 1949 and starred Clark Gable. Put that together with all the rest of his novels and screenplays and he turns out to someone really special. Oh, and his uncle was Owen Wister, who wrote The Virginian. (I guess I am glad I looked up this rather beat up book, and why I love my job.) Look for this book in the glass case at the front of the store, avail. 9/19.
