The Naked and The Dead

by Mailer, Norman

Acclaimed as a successful expression of the futility of war, Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead follows the story of an army platoon of foot soldiers fighting for the possession of the Japanese-held island of Anopopei during World War II. The novel, which embodies wartime disillusionment, is partly based on Mailer’s own experiences with the 112th Cavalry in the Pacific. Through its four parts, The Naked and the Dead addresses themes of loneliness, death of fear and dying, and brotherhood. The novel is written in gritty, journalistic detail. However, this tone was dialed back as publishers persuaded Mailer to use to euphemism “fug” in lieu of the mother of all curse words — the “F” word — in his novel.

The Naked and the Dead sold 200,000 copies in its first three months and was a New York Times best seller for over a year. Despite some controversy among critics, the novel remains important in American literature. The Naked and the Dead is ranked 51st on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century. The novel was later adapted into a film of the same name in 1958.

First Edition Identification

Rinehart & Company first published The Naked and the Dead in 1948. Bound in black cloth, first editions have the Rinehart logo, a script R in a circle, on the copyright page. The dust jacket of first editions state the original retail price of $4.00 along with a review by Stanley Rinehart that begins on the front flap and continues on the back flap. The 721-page novel was produced in a print run of 25,000 copies. Signed first editions have sold for upwards of $7,500.

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

Allan Wingate published the first UK edition of The Naked and the Dead in 1949, while the publisher was still under the direction of Andre Deutsch. This edition, the dust jacket of which features dramatically different cover art, is also highly collectible.

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On May 21, 2016, Anonymous said

this is a book of the month issue

Available Copies

The Naked and The Dead
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The Naked and The Dead

by Norman Mailer

Condition
Used
Edition
first
Published
1948
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1
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Marina Del Rey, California, USA
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€3,253.64

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About this Item: Rinehart & Company, 1948. Hardcover. Condition: . Dust Jacket Condition: ripped at spine **see photos. 1st Edition. First Edition, This ORIGINAL dustjacket has the $4.00 price present on the front flap without the common ubquitous fading to the spine. The binding is tight with no cocking or leans. The boards are crisp with slight wear… Read more about this item
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€3,253.64
The Naked and the Dead
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The Naked and the Dead

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used - to Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
1st printing of Mailer's first book
Published
1948
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1
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Tucson, Arizona, USA
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€702.22

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Very Good to Near Fine book that has rubbing, slight bumping and wear to spine ends and bottom edges of boards, tiny closed tear at top of spine, touch of color loss within back gutter, light age toning to page edges; in a Very Good jacket that has edge wear, several small closed tears and very small chips, some color… Read more about this item
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€702.22
THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD

by MAILER, Norman.

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
First Edition
Published
1948
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1
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Sherman Oaks, California, USA
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€280.88

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FIRST EDITION in dust jacket. Book is rubbed/skinned at the spine ends and along the bottom edge of the boards; former owners name stamp and blindstamp. The dust jacket has a $4.00 price, indicating it s from a later printing; minor wear at the spine ends - otherwise a very nice dust jacket.
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€280.88
The Naked and The Dead

The Naked and The Dead

by MAILER, Norman

Condition
Used
Published
1948
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Wadsworth, Illinois, USA
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€702.22

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New York: Rinehart and Company, 1948. First edition. Hardcover. Mailer's classic first novel which remains one of best war novels. A very near fine copy with some very minor wear to the bottom edge of the paper covered boards in an about near fine price clipped dust jacket that has some very minor wear and a small stain at… Read more about this item
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€702.22
THE NAKED AND THE DEAD

THE NAKED AND THE DEAD

by MAILER, Norman

Condition
Used - Significantly cocked with a vertical concave indent to the spine. Moderate edgewear, short tear to rear cover along spine. An ab
Edition
First Edition
Published
(1948)
Binding
Wraps
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1
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Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, USA
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€5,851.88

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New York: Rinehart and Company Inc., (1948). First Edition. wraps. Significantly cocked with a vertical concave indent to the spine. Moderate edgewear, short tear to rear cover along spine. An above average copy of this advanced state of this book. Advance Reading Copy in self-wrappers identical to the first issue dustwrapper of Mailer's impressive first book. SIGNED by… Read more about this item
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€5,851.88
THE NAKED AND THE DEAD
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THE NAKED AND THE DEAD

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA
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€140.44

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NY: Rinehart & Co. Fascimile edition printed from Rinehart's first printing sheets Originally published by Rinehart in 1948.. (This is not the First Edition Library edition: no FEL identification printed on the copyright page or rear panel of the dustjacket). Faithful reproduction of the original edition but for lack of the printed price on the front dustjacket flap. Probably issued… Read more about this item
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€140.44
The Naked and the Dead

The Naked and the Dead

by Norman Mailer

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Published
1948
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Waccabuc, New York, USA
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€468.15

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New York: Rinehart and Co, 1948. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good. A very solid copy of the 1948 1st edition (with the Rinehart circled 'R' at the copyright page). Clean and Near Fine in a bright, price-intact, VG dustjacket, with very light creasing along the panel edges and light chipping and creasing at the spine crown. Thick octavo, an… Read more about this item
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€468.15
The Naked and the Dead
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The Naked and the Dead

by Norman Mailer

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good+
Published
1948
Quantity Available
1
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Tomball, Texas, USA
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€1,287.41

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First Edition/First Printing in a 1st state dust jacket with the "R" colophon on the copyright page, "A Word from the Publisher" blurb on the front flap with no reviews and $4.00 price intact; A Near Fine book in a Very Good plus dust jacket. SIGNED card laid in. A beautiful copy of this classic of World War II fiction.… Read more about this item
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€1,287.41
The Naked and the Dead [Book Club edition]

The Naked and the Dead [Book Club edition]

by Norman Mailer

Condition
Used
Published
1948
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Eureka, California, USA
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€23.41

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Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1948. Hardcover. 626 pages. Book club edition (BCE) of the debut novel by the author who would go on to win two Pulitzer Prizes. Based in part on Mailer's experiences in World War II. A near fine hardcover copy; no dust jacket. Gilt lettering on spine toned.
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€23.41
The Naked and the Dead (Flamingo modern classics)

The Naked and the Dead (Flamingo modern classics)

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0586091157
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1
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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€8.10

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Paperback. Acceptable.
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€8.10
The Naked and the Dead  (Signed by Author)

The Naked and the Dead (Signed by Author)

by MAILER, Norman

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Limited
Published
1979
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Lévis, Quebec, CAN
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€65.39

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Franklin Library, 1979. 683 pages; Illustrated by Allan E. Cober. A limited edition signed by the author.; Full-Leather hardcover with stamped gilt lettering and designs. All edges gilt. Satin ribbon bookmark. Moire endpapers. This copy has a defect in that the edges of the endpapers are discoloured. Book… Read more about this item
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€65.39
The Naked and the Dead
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The Naked and the Dead

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Poor
Edition
1st Edition
Published
1948
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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€1,123.56

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Rinehart, 1948. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Poor. A very good first edition (with the Rinehart circled R on the copyright page) in a poor dust jacket, signed by Mailer on the title page.
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€1,123.56
The Naked and the Dead (Uncorrected proof)
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The Naked and the Dead (Uncorrected proof)

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used
Published
1948
Binding
Trade Paperback
Quantity Available
1
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Eureka, California, USA
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€3,511.12

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Rinehart, 1948. Trade Paperback. 721 pages. Advance copy of the debut novel by the author who would go on to win two Pulitzer Prizes. Based in part on Mailer's experiences in World War II. Very good in wrappers (paperback). Spine toned and concave, with wear to the flap folds. Inscribed by the author to a noted book collector: 'To… Read more about this item
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€3,511.12
The Naked and the Dead (Flamingo modern classics)

The Naked and the Dead (Flamingo modern classics)

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0586091157
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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€8.10

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Paperback. Very Good.
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€8.10
The Naked and the Dead
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The Naked and the Dead

by Norman Mailer

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1949
Binding
Cloth
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1
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BATH, Somerset, GBR
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€35.42

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London: Allan Wingate, 1949. Cloth. Good. 8" by 6". None. A first U.K. edition of Norman Mailer's best-selling novel inspired by his time as a cook during the Second World War. This novel draws upon the author's experiences during the Second World War, and was an instant best-seller., selling two hundred thousand copies in the first three… Read more about this item
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€35.42
The Naked and the Dead

The Naked and the Dead

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used - Very Good- in Good+ dust jacket
Edition
1st Modern Library Edition
Published
1961
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Modesto, California, USA
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€93.63

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New York: The Modern Library. Very Good- in Good+ dust jacket. 1961. 1st Modern Library Edition. Hardcover. Text is clean. Cover shows light wear, minimal bumping to head/base of spine. Top front corner bumped. Minor spotting to side text edge. Dust jacket shows normal shelfwear, with chipping at spine, corners and top edge. Dust jacket lightly soiled.… Read more about this item
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€93.63
THE NAKED AND THE DEAD

THE NAKED AND THE DEAD

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Fair
Edition
Early printing
Published
1948
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
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Rougemont, North Carolina, USA
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€37.45

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New York Toronto: Rinehart and Company, Inc, 1948. Early printing. Cloth. Very Good/Fair. Early printing. A Very Good copy in Fair dust jacket. 8vo. Black cloth with white spine lettering in black jacket. The dust jacket, priced at $4.00, is chipped, rubbed with a few small tears along the flap's joints. Early printing, without the publisher's "R", and… Read more about this item
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€37.45
The Naked and the Dead

The Naked and the Dead

by Mailer, Norman (1923-2007)

Condition
Used
Edition
1st edition, 1st issue
Published
1948
Binding
Hardback
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Galway, IRL
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€2,190.94

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New York : Rinehart, 1948. 1st edition, 1st issue. Hardback. Finely bound in modern aniline calf over marble boards. Raised bands with the title blocked direct in gilt. Spine compartments uniformly tooled in gilt. An exceptional copy - scans and additional bibliographic detail on request. ; 721 pages; Physical desc. : 721 p : map ; 22 cm. Subject:… Read more about this item
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€2,190.94
The Naked and the Dead (ARC)
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The Naked and the Dead (ARC)

by Mailer, Norman

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
1948
Binding
Original Wraps
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Pasadena, California, USA
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€702.22

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Description:
New York: Rinehart & Company, 1948. First Edition. Original Wraps. Very Good. Advanced Review Copy in self wrappers. A Very Good copy of this scarce edition of Mailer's first novel. Book appears gently read, with concave spine and gentle rubbing to edges of the wraps. Faint odor and mild soiling to book, but no internal markings or major… Read more about this item
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€702.22
THE NAKED AND THE DEAD

THE NAKED AND THE DEAD

by MAILER, Norman

Condition
Used - Virtually no wear to the boards, the white spine lettering very sharp. The first issue dustwrapper is complete with very light w
Edition
First Edition
Published
(1948)
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, USA
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Item Price
€1,170.38

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Description:
New York: Rinehart and Company Inc., (1948). First Edition. Hardcover. Virtually no wear to the boards, the white spine lettering very sharp. The first issue dustwrapper is complete with very light wear to the spine tips light scratching to the rear panel. The red ink on the dustwrapper is a little faded, as usual, but usually not noted as… Read more about this item
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€1,170.38