How to Become a Bishop Without Being Religious

Charles Merrill Smith’s How to Become a Bishop Without Being Religious is a tongue in cheek satire of church life, the ministry, and ecclesiastical ambition. Originally published by Doubleday in 1965, the book became a bestseller and was praised by Bishop James A. Pike as “satire at its best.”

This copy is the first Pocket Books edition, first printing, published in October 1966, as stated on the copyright page. It retains its original 50¢ cover price and Pocket Books number 50300. The colorful blackletter cover design gives the book a distinctive mid 1960s appearance.

Details: Charles Merrill Smith, How to Become a Bishop Without Being Religious. Pocket Books, New York, 1966. First Pocket Books edition, first printing. Paperback. Printed in the USA.

Condition: Good. Covers remain attractive with light general wear, age toning, and some discoloration and soiling. Spine is intact and relatively clean. Interior pages show expected age toning. Moisture staining is present along the lower margins of the preliminary pages, including the title and copyright leaves. Some wear is visible along the inner margin near the front of the book.