By the author of the story that became It’s a Wonderful Life

Philip Van Doren Stern (September 10, 1900 – July 31, 1984) was an American writer, editor, and Civil War historian whose story “The Greatest Gift“, published in 1943, inspired the classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life (1946).


1951 Farrar hardcover as Love Is the One with Wings

1951 Signet reissue – first paperback release

published in the UK in 1952 as It’s Always Too Late to Mend and in 1955 as Manhunt

1960 Berkley reissue

cover art by Darcy (Ernest Chiriacka)

May 1942 issue ~ cover art by Rafael DeSoto

May 1942 issue

cover art by Rafael DeSoto

better image than previously posted

John Lawrence, “Murder in the Family” (Marquis of Broadway)

Norbert Davis, “Give the Devil His Due” (Max Latin)

C.P. Donnel, Jr., “Footprints on the Ceiling” (Colonel Kaspir)

D.L. Champion, “Tell It to Homicide” (Inspector Allhoff)

Alan Anderson, “Prowl the Night”