Few films have become a part of the fabric of American life as much as Frank Capra's classic It's a Wonderful Life. Every Christmas, Americans reopen their hearts to Jimmy Stewart and his journey through Bedford Falls. Yet few of us know that the movie was based on "The Greatest Gift," a short story by Philip Van Doren Stern, privately printed as a Christmas card to the author's friends in 1943. This deluxe edition of "The Greatest Gift" marks the fiftieth anniversary of the release of It's a Wonderful Life. Delighted readers will immediately recognize George Bailey from the movie - together with the guardian angel, the snowy scene on the bridge, and Bedford Falls - and will identify with George's realization that life is a gift and every individual indispensable. Specially commissioned artwork illustrates scenes from "The Greatest Gift," and an afterword by the author's daughter, Marguerite Stern Robinson, reveals how this enchanting story inspired the beloved movie.
Used availability for Philip van Doren Stern's The Greatest Gift
See all available used copies of this book at: Abebooks UK or Abebooks US
Hardback Editions
November 1996 : Hardback
| Title: The Greatest Gift Author(s): Philip Van Doren Stern, Scott McKowen ISBN: 0-670-86204-5 / 978-0-670-86204-7 (USA, AU, or UK edition) Publisher: G P Putnam's Sons Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
1958 : Hardback
| Title: The greatest gift, a Christmas tale Author(s): Philip Van Doren Stern Publisher: [s.n.] Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
January 1950 : Hardback
| Title: The greatest gift, a Christmas tale Author(s): Philip Van Doren Stern; Illustrator-Rafaello Busoni Publisher: David McKay Co. Inc. Availability: Amazon More details... |
Audio Editions
November 1996 : Audio Cassette
| Title: The Greatest Gift Author(s): Phillip Van Doren Stern ISBN: 1-57511-017-2 / 9781575110172 (USA edition) Publisher: Publishing Mills Availability: Amazon Amazon CA More details... |
Other Editions
1944 : Unknown
| Title: The greatest gift,: A Christmas tale Author(s): Philip Van Doren Stern Publisher: David McKay Company Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
1943 : Unknown
| Title: The greatest gift, a Christmas tale Author(s): Publisher: Privately Printed by the Author for Distribution to his Friends, New York Availability: Amazon More details... |
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