Skip to content

Johnny Got His Gun
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Johnny Got His Gun Paperback - 1998

by Dalton Trumbo; Introduction by Ron Kovic; Adapted by Ron Kovic

Few American novels are genuine classics, with a permanent place in our literature. This is one of them. First published in 1939, the story of an average American youth who "survives" World War I armless, legless and faceless with his mind intact was an immediate bestseller. Its anti-war message had a profound effect on Americans during the Vietnam era, and is now being reissued.


From the publisher

The searing portrayal of war that has stunned and galvanized generations of readers

It was the war to end all wars, the global struggle that would finally make the world safe for democracy--at any cost. But one American soldier has paid a price beyond measure. And within the disfigured flesh that was once a vision of youth lives a spirit that cannot accept what the world has become. An immediate bestseller upon its original publication in 1939, Dalton Trumbo's stark, profoundly troubling masterpiece about the horrors of World War I brilliantly crystallized the uncompromising brutality of war and became the most influential protest novel of the Vietnam era. With a compelling new foreword by E. L. Doctorow, Johnny Got His Gun--an undisputed classic of antiwar literature--as as timely as ever. "A terrifying book, of an extraordinary emotional intensity." --The Washington Post

"Powerful . . . an eye-opener." --Michael Moore "Mr. Trumbo sets this story down almost without pause or punctuation and with a fury amounting to eloquence." --New York Times

"A book that can never be forgotten by anyone who reads it." --Saturday Review

From the rear cover

"Johnny Got His Gun" holds a place as one of the classic antiwar novels. First published in 1939, Dalton Trumbo's story of a young American soldier terribly maimed in World War I-- he "survives" armless, legless, and faceless, but with mind intact-- was an immediate bestseller. This fiercely moving novel was a rallying point for many Americans who came of age during World War II, and it became perhaps the most popular novel of protest during the Vietnam era.

Citadel Underground's edition of "Johnny Got His Gun" features a powerful new introduction by Ron Kovic, author of "Born on the Fourth of July", and also includes an introduction by Dalton Trumbo.

""Johnny Got His Gun" still remains the most powerful piece of writing to influence me after Vietnam. Upon my return from the war, and after all these twenty-two years spent in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the mid-chest down, I've read many writers that have influenced my life profoundly-- Hemingway, Conrad, Tolstoy, Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King-- but there has been nothing out of that body of great literature to compare to this book... "Johnny Got His Gun" remains the most revolutionary, searing document against was and injustice ever written." --Ron Kovic, from his introduction

"(This) is a terrifying book, of an extraordinary emotional intensity." --The Washington Post

""Johnny Got His Gun" is not merely a powerful antiwar document; it is also a powerful and brilliant work of the imagination... Mr. Trumbo has written a book that can never be forgotten by anyone who reads it." --Saturday Review

"A terrible story, remorseless, uncompromising... this book was a shocking and violent experience." --Herald Tribune

"There can be no question of the effectiveness of this book." --The New York Times

Details

  • Title Johnny Got His Gun
  • Author Dalton Trumbo; Introduction by Ron Kovic; Adapted by Ron Kovic
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Later Edition
  • Pages 336
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Kensington Publishing Corporation, New York
  • Date August 25, 1998
  • ISBN 9780806512815 / 0806512814
  • Weight 1.07 lbs (0.49 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.05 x 6.17 x 0.8 in (22.99 x 15.67 x 2.03 cm)
  • Reading level 970
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 1920's
    • Chronological Period: 1900-1919
  • Library of Congress subjects Psychological fiction, War stories
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

Dalton Trumbo (December 9, 1905-September 10, 1976) was among the most prolific and important literary figures of his time. One of the famous Hollywood Ten, he refused to testify about his alleged communist affiliations before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947. Blacklisted from the film industry and charged with contempt of Congress, he served an 11-month prison sentence. Johnny Got His Gun, the most highly acclaimed work of Trumbo's extraordinary career, won a National Book Award (then known as an American Book Sellers Award) in 1939. The idea for the novel came to Trumbo after he learned of a British soldier who was seriously injured during World War I. In 2015 the acclaimed film Trumbo, starring Bryan Cranston, spurred renewed interest in the author's life and works.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Johnny Got His Gun
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Johnny Got His Gun

by Dalton Trumbo; Ron Kovic [Introduction]

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.87
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Kensington Publishing Corp, 1998-08-25. Paperback. Good. 6x0x9.
Item Price
$5.87
FREE shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun

Johnny Got His Gun

by Trumbo, Dalton

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Kensington Publishing Corporation, 1998. Paperback. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun

Johnny Got His Gun

by Trumbo, Dalton

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Kensington Publishing Corporation, 1998. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun

Johnny Got His Gun

by Trumbo, Dalton

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Kensington Publishing Corporation, 1998. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun

Johnny Got His Gun

by Trumbo, Dalton

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Kensington Publishing Corporation, 1998. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.39
FREE shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Johnny Got His Gun

by Trumbo, Dalton

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$8.78
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Kensington Publishing Corporation. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$8.78
FREE shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun

Johnny Got His Gun

by Trumbo, Dalton

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$14.16
$10.86 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Very Good.
Item Price
$14.16
$10.86 shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Johnny Got His Gun

by Dalton Trumbo

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - CollectibleAcceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Wantage, New Jersey, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$35.00
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
CollectibleAcceptable. BANTAM 1970, 6th printing, (N5483), cover hinge slightly cracked, spine creases. Good solid paperback with moderate reading/age wear, may have some light markings, pages may have some mild tanning. We take great pride in accurately describing the condition of our books and media, ship within 48 hours, and offer a 100% money back guarantee. Customers purchasing more than one item from us may be entitled to a shipping discount.
Item Price
$35.00
$3.99 shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Johnny Got His Gun

by Trumbo, Dalton

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$70.24
$12.67 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Citadel Pr, 1994. Paperback. New. reprint edition. 8.25x5.25x1.00 inches.
Item Price
$70.24
$12.67 shipping to USA
Johnny Got His Gun
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Johnny Got His Gun

by Dalton Trumbo; Ron Kovic [Introduction]

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780806512815 / 0806512814
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$63.61
$5.45 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Kensington Publishing Corp, 1998-08-25. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
$63.61
$5.45 shipping to USA