Up for sale is a highly collectible first printing of July,1863: The shocking true story of the bloody battle for New York City by Irving Werstein (Ace Books, D-325, 1957). This original 35¢ pulp paperback is in beautiful Very Good (VG) condition, featuring vibrant, flat cover art, a remarkably crisp, uncreased square spine, and a tight binding with completely flush text block edges. While the interior newsprint pages show standard, uniform age-toning typical for its era, the book remains exceptionally clean and completely free of loose pages, writing, or moisture damage. It is a fantastic, well-preserved addition for any vintage paperback collector or American Civil War history enthusiast.

July 1863 by Irving Werstein is a gripping historical chronicle that details the explosive five days of civil unrest that paralyzed New York City during the height of the American Civil War. The narrative centers on the violent civilian backlash against the Enrollment Act—a federal conscription law that working-class citizens felt unfairly targeted the poor, since wealthy men could pay a fee to escape service. Werstein vividly depicts how a frustrated, immigrant-heavy labor force exploded into a mob that destroyed draft offices, combated local police, looted wealthy neighborhoods, and tragically transformed their rage into a vicious race war against the city's Black population. By focusing on the systemic failures to integrate European immigrants, economic anxieties, and the underlying political corruption under Mayor George Opdyke, the book captures the horrifying breakdown of law and order that only ended when seasoned Union troops were recalled from the battlefields of Gettysburg to restore peace.

This book is in very good condition. Light shelf wear along the edges and corners of the front/rear covers as well as along the edges of the spine panel. The spine and pages are tight within the cover. Book is square and tight. There are no other marks, tears, bookplates or writing in these books. The book appears to be unread. Please review all photos for your best idea of condition. Shipping on this item will be $4.99.

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