In 1943, the U.S. government and the American publishing industry collaborated to create what came to be known as the “Armed Services Editions.” Over the next few years, more than 120 million books representing over 1,200 titles were printed and distributed to overseas troops during the Second World War. The books were printed in an odd horizontal format with bright, primary-colored covers

The Winter 2025 release, the 1943 Edition was inspired by the Armed Service Editions, including three unique “Two-Way” Memo Books.

1943 Memo Books mimic the ASE’s horizontal orientation. While they’re our usual pocket size, they’re the first with two staples on the short side instead of three on the long side. But while mocking up prototypes, Field Notes realized the short-edge binding also works great for a vertical notebook. So it’s up to you, there’s a horizontal cover on one side, and a vertical cover on the other. 

You’ll find bright red, yellow, and blue books in each 3-Pack. Covers are printed on sturdy Westrock Tango 12pt coated-one-side cover stock. The body of the book is 60# Domtar Cougar “Natural” (very popular in last winter‘s sold-out “Vintage” Edition), with an “Aged Newsprint” graph grid.