The Greatest Gift BookThe Greatest Gift Book was written by the 1930s Civil War historian by the name of Philip Van Doren Stern. He had a dream so detailed and so profound, he felt compelled to turn it into a book. Van Doren Stern self-published 200 copies of this story in 1943 to send to friends and family in lieu of a Christmas card.
In a turn of events that seems stranger than fiction itself, Van Doren Stern's little book came to the attention of RKO Pictures and became the basis of one of the best-loved American films of all time:
It's a Wonderful Life. And now for the first time in 67 years, the original story is back in print, including the charming woodcut illustrations commissioned by the author in 1944.
This wonderful hardcover story book arrives with an illustrated dust jacket and features charming illustrations with woodcut images by Rafaello Busoni. The Greatest Gift Book is indeed a great book to present to the avid reader or for reading aloud at holiday get-togethers.
The Greatest Gift Book Features
- Written by Philip Van Doren Stern
- Originally published by him in 1943 as a Christmas gift for family and friends
- Illustrations by Rafaello Busoni
- Hardcover, 48 pages, with illustrated dust jacket
- A sweet, profound tale, charmingly illustrated with woodcut images
- Became the basis for It's a Wonderful Life, the 1946 classic starring Jimmy Stewart
- Reissued in 2011 by Graphic Image, Inc., whose founder, Bennett Glazer, was among the lucky recipients on the author's Christmas card list
