Conroy, Pat - The Boo - McClure Press: Verona Virginia, 1970 - First Edition / First Printing / First Issue Dust Jacket - “First Printing” stated on the copyright page as required in order to denote the first printing of the first edition. First state dust jacket with the correct “$4.50” price present.
“The Citadel cherishes the belief that the more hardship endured by the young man, the higher the quality of the person who graduates from the system. The Citadel devised a formula years ago to improve the quality of men who walked through her gates. The formula begins with the plebe system. One thing is certain. The plebe system is calculated to be, and generally succeeds in being, a nine month journey through hell. The freshman is beaten, harassed, ridiculed, and humiliated by the upperclassmen who concur and believe in the traditions of the school. Under the pressure of this system, the freshman, in theory, becomes hardened to the savage hardships of the world. Life is tough, the system says, and we are going to make life so tough for you this year that when your marriage dissolves, your child dies unexpectedly, or your platoon is decimated in a surprise attack, you can never say The Citadel didn't prepare you for the worst in life.”
The book has some very faint sunning to the spine and a book plate on the front paste down. The boards remain very bright and very clean with sharp corners. The binding is square and firm. Internally the text block has no writing or markings. The dust jacket is soiled and has spotting, toning, and some general shelf wear. That being said there is only one short closed tear and no real chipping which leaves the jacket very complete and presentable. A most attractive copy of Conroy’s exceedingly uncommon first novel. A collection of short works dealing with Lt. Colonel Thomas Nugent Courvoisie, The Boo, who Conroy came to know during his time as a student at the Citadel.